ITEM 7.MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion provides information about the results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, and capital resources of CVB Financial Corp. and its wholly owned subsidiary. This information is intended to facilitate the understanding and assessment of significant changes and trends related to our financial condition and the results of our operations. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes presented elsewhere in this report.
IMPACT OF COVID-19
The spread of COVID-19 starting in 2020 created a global public health crisis that has resulted in unprecedented volatility and disruption in financial markets and deterioration in economic activity and market conditions in the markets we serve. The pandemic affected our customers and the communities we serve. We recorded a $23.5 million provision for credit losses for the year ended December 31, 2020 due to the forecast, at that time, of a severe economic downturn resulting from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the anticipated effects of the pandemic on the U.S. economy, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“FRB”) took significant actions, including a reduction in the target range of the federal funds rate to 0.0% to 0.25% in 2020 and established a program of purchases of Treasury and mortgage-backed securities. A $19.5 million recapture of provision for credit losses was recorded in the first quarter of 2021, resulting from improvements in our economic forecast of certain macroeconomic variables resulting from significant monetary and fiscal stimulus, as well as the wide availability of vaccines.
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was signed into law. It contained substantial tax and spending provisions intended to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act included the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), a $349 billion program designed to aid small- and medium-sized businesses through 100% Small Business Administration (“SBA”) guaranteed loans distributed through banks. These loans were intended to guarantee 24 weeks of payroll and other costs to help those businesses remain viable and keep their workers employed. Legislation passed on April 24, 2020 provided additional PPP funds of $310 billion. During 2020, we originated and funded approximately 4,100 loans, totaling $1.1 billion. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the CARES Act, we also implemented a short-term loan modification program in 2020 to provide temporary payment relief to certain of our borrowers who meet the program’s qualifications. On January 13, 2021, the SBA reopened the PPP for Second Draw loans to small businesses and non-profit organizations that did receive a loan through the initial PPP phase. At least $25 billion was set aside for Second Draw (“round two”) PPP loans to eligible borrowers with a maximum of 10 employees or for loans of $250,000 or less to eligible borrowers in low or moderate income neighborhoods. Generally speaking, businesses with more than 300 employees and/or less than a 25% reduction in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020 were not eligible for Second Draw loans. Further, maximum loan amounts were increased for accommodation and food service businesses. We originated approximately 1,900 round two loans totaling $420 million. The Paycheck Protection Program officially ended on May 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2022, the remaining outstanding balance of PPP loans was $9.1 million, as approximately 99% of PPP loans have been granted forgiveness.
The fourth quarter of 2022 included $2.5 million in provision for credit losses, compared to $2.0 million in provision for the third quarter and no provision or recapture in the fourth quarter of 2021. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we recorded $10.6 million in provision for credit losses, due to both core loan growth of approximately $600 million and a deteriorating economic forecast of key macroeconomic variables. A $25.5 million recapture of provision for credit losses was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2021, resulting from improvements in our economic forecast that resulted from the unprecedented impact and uncertainty of the pandemic in 2020. In comparison, the Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $23.5 million in 2020 due to the forecast of a severe economic downturn as a result of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Critical accounting policies are defined as those that are reflective of significant judgments and uncertainties, and are essential to understanding Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. The following is a summary of the more judgmental and complex accounting estimates and principles. In each area, we have identified the variables most important in the estimation process. We have used the best information available to make the necessary estimates to value the related assets and liabilities. Actual performance that differs from our estimates and future changes in the key variables could change future valuations and impact the results of operations.
Adoption of New Accounting Standard
Allowance for Credit Losses (“ACL”) — On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”. This ASU significantly changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. We adopted this ASU using a modified retrospective approach, as required, and have not adjusted prior period comparative information and will continue to disclose prior period financial information in accordance with the previous accounting guidance. The adoption of ASU 2016-13, resulted in a reduction to our opening retained earnings of approximately $1.3 million, net of tax.
This ASU replaced the current “incurred loss” approach with an “expected loss” model. The new model, referred to as the Current Expected Credit Loss (“CECL”) model, applies to: (1) financial assets subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost, and (2) certain off balance sheet credit exposures. This includes, but is not limited to, loans, held-to-maturity (“HTM”) securities, loan commitments, and financial guarantees. For loans and HTM debt securities, this ASU requires a CECL measurement to estimate the allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) for the remaining contractual term, adjusted for prepayments, of the financial asset (including off-balance sheet credit exposures) using historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This ASU also eliminated the existing guidance for purchased credit-impaired (“PCI”) loans, but requires an allowance for purchased financial assets with more than an insignificant deterioration of credit since origination. Purchase Credit Deteriorated (“PCD”) assets are recorded at their purchase price plus an ACL estimated at the time of acquisition. Under this ASU, there is no provision for credit losses recognized at acquisition; instead, there is a gross-up of the purchase price of the financial asset for the estimate of expected credit losses and a corresponding ACL recorded. Changes in estimates of expected credit losses after acquisition are recognized as provision for credit losses (or reversal of provision for credit losses) in subsequent periods. In addition, this ASU modifies the OTTI model for available-for-sale (“AFS”) debt securities to require an allowance for credit impairment instead of a direct write-down, which allows for reversal of credit impairments in future periods based on improvements in credit. As a policy election, we excluded the accrued interest receivable balance from the amortized cost basis of financing receivables and HTM securities, as well as AFS securities, and disclose total accrued interest receivable separately on the consolidated balance sheet.
For a full discussion of our methodology of assessing the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses, see “Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation — Risk Management” and Note 3 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 6 — Loans and Lease Finance Receivables and Allowance for Credit Losses of our consolidated financial statements presented elsewhere in this report.
Business Combinations — The Company applies the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. Under the acquisition method, the acquiring entity in a business combination recognizes the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their acquisition date fair values. Management utilizes prevailing valuation techniques appropriate for the asset or liability being measured in determining these fair values. These fair values are estimates and are subject to adjustment for up to one year after the acquisition date or when additional information relative to the closing date fair values becomes available and such information is considered final, whichever is earlier. Any excess of the purchase price over amounts allocated to assets acquired, including identifiable intangible assets, and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. Where amounts allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed is greater than the purchase price, a bargain purchase gain would be recognized. Acquisition related costs are expensed as incurred.
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Valuation and Recoverability of Goodwill — Goodwill represented $765.8 million of our $16.48 billion in total assets as of December 31, 2022. The Company has one reportable segment. Goodwill has an indefinite useful life and is not amortized, but is tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently, if events and circumstances exist that indicate that a goodwill impairment test should be performed. Such events and circumstances may include among others, a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the general business climate, significant decline in our stock price and market capitalization, unanticipated competition, the testing for recoverability of a significant asset group within the reporting unit, and an adverse action or assessment by a regulating body. Any adverse change in these factors could have a significant impact on the recoverability of goodwill and could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Based on the results of our annual goodwill impairment test, we determined that no goodwill impairment charges were required as our single reportable segment’s fair value exceeded its carrying amount. As of December 31, 2022, we determined there were no events or circumstances which would more likely than not reduce the fair value of our reportable segment below its carrying amount. Note 3 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of our consolidated financial statements presented elsewhere in this report
For complete discussion and disclosure of other accounting policies see Note 3 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Company’s consolidated financial statements presented elsewhere in this report.
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Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements but Not Adopted as of December 31, 2022
Standard Description Adoption Timing Impact on Financial Statements
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OVERVIEW
For the year ended December 31, 2022, we reported net earnings of $235.4 million, compared with $212.5 million for 2021. This represented a $22.9 million, or 10.78%, increase from the prior year. Diluted earnings per share were $1.67 for 2022, compared to $1.56 for 2021. Pretax pre-provision income grew from $272.1 million for 2021 to $338.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. We recorded $10.6 million in provision for credit losses in 2022, compared to a provision recapture of $25.5 million for 2021. Net earnings of $235.4 million produced a return on average equity (“ROAE”) of 11.39%, a return on average tangible common equity (“ROATCE”) of 18.85% and a return on average assets (“ROAA”) of 1.39%. Our net interest margin, tax equivalent (“NIM”), was 3.30% for 2022, while our efficiency ratio was 38.98%.
We recorded $10.6 million in provision for credit losses for 2022. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we experienced charge-offs of $197,000 and total recoveries of $1.1 million, resulting in net recoveries of $893,000. This compares to $3.2 million in net charge-offs for the year ended December 31, 2021. Based on the magnitude of government economic stimulus and the wide availability of vaccines, our economic forecasts in 2021 reflected improvements from 2020 in key macroeconomic variables and therefore lower projected loan losses, which resulted in a $25.5 million recapture of provision for credit losses for the year ended December 31, 2021. Of the approximately $1.5 billion of SBA PPP loans we originated between 2020 and 2021, loan forgiveness has been granted for almost all of these loans. The remaining balance at amortized cost for these loans at December 31, 2022 was $9.1 million.
On January 7, 2022, we completed the acquisition of Suncrest Bank (“Suncrest”). At close, Citizens Business Bank acquired loans with a fair value of $774.5 million, and assumed $512.8 million of noninterest-bearing deposits and $669.8 million of interest-bearing deposits. The integration of Suncrest was completed in the second quarter with the consolidation of two banking centers. As a result of the Suncrest merger, we incurred $6.0 million in acquisition expenses for the year ended December 31, 2022.
The $20.1 million increase in the ACL from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022 was comprised primarily of the $8.6 million ACL increase for the Suncrest purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) loans and an $10.6 million provision for credit losses. The $10.6 million provision for credit losses, includes a provision for credit loss of $4.9 million recorded on January 7, 2022 for the Suncrest acquired loans that were not considered PCD. In addition, the ACL increased by $893,000 in net recoveries for the year ended December 31, 2022.
At December 31, 2022, total assets of $16.48 billion increased $592.8 million, or 3.73%, from total assets of $15.88 billion at December 31, 2021. Interest-earning assets of $14.97 billion at December 31, 2022 increased $287.5 million, or 1.96%, when compared with $14.68 billion at December 31, 2021. The increase in interest-earning assets included a $1.19 billion increase in total loans and a $699.6 million increase in investment securities, partially offset by a $1.60 billion decrease in interest-earning balances due from the Federal Reserve. The $1.19 billion increase in total loans included the $774.5 million of loans acquired at fair value from Suncrest.
Total investment securities were $5.81 billion at December 31, 2022, an increase of $699.6 million, or 13.69%, from $5.11 billion at December 31, 2021. We did not purchase any AFS securities during the fourth quarter of 2022, but cash flows from HTM securities were reinvested in the purchase of approximately $32 million in municipal securities with a tax-equivalent yield of approximately 5.5%. We purchased investment securities totaling approximately $1.76 billion in 2022. At December 31, 2022, investment securities held-to-maturity (“HTM”) totaled $2.55 billion. At December 31, 2022, investment securities AFS totaled $3.26 billion, inclusive of a pre-tax net unrealized loss of $500.1 million. The growth in our investment portfolio over the last year resulted in HTM investments increasing by $628.3 million, or 32.62%, and AFS securities increasing by $71.3 million, or 2.24%, from December 31, 2021. Our tax equivalent yield on our investment portfolio grew from 1.56% for 2021 to 2.03% for 2022.
Total loans and leases, at amortized cost, of $9.08 billion at December 31, 2022, increased by $1.19 billion, or 15.11%, from $7.89 billion at December 31, 2021. The increase in total loans included $774.5 million of loans acquired from Suncrest in the first quarter of 2022. PPP loans decreased by $177.5 million as these loans continued to receive forgiveness, resulting in a remaining balance of $9.1 million at December 31, 2022. After adjusting for acquired loans and forgiveness of PPP loans, our core loans grew by $634.3 million, or 8.24% from December 31, 2021. The $634.3 million core loan growth included $514.4 million in commercial real estate loans, $51.2 million in commercial and industrial loans, $31.9 million in dairy & livestock and agribusiness loans, $25.1 million in SFR mortgage loans, $17.9 million in municipal lease financings, and $9.3 million in construction loans, partially offset by a decrease of $17.8 million in SBA loans. Our yield on loans was 4.49% for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to 4.42% for 2021. Interest income for yield adjustments related to discount accretion on acquired loans was $7.9 million for 2022, compared to $12.3 million for 2021. Interest and fee income from PPP loans was approximately $5.5 million for 2022, compared to $30.5 million for 2021. After excluding discount accretion and the impact from PPP loans, our core loan yields increased by 17 basis points when compared to 2021. The
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recent increases in interest rates, including a 425 basis point increase in the Fed Funds rate since the fourth quarter of 2021, contributed to the 17 basis point increase in core loan yields year-over-year, as well as a 59 basis point increase in core loan yields when comparing the fourth quarter of 2022 to the same quarter of 2021.
Noninterest-bearing deposits were $8.16 billion at December 31, 2022, an increase of $60.3 million, or 0.74%, compared to $8.10 billion at December 31, 2021. This year-over-year increase in noninterest-bearing deposits includes the noninterest-bearing deposits assumed from Suncrest of $512.8 million. Noninterest-bearing deposits declined $600 million from September 30, 2022 as we typically see seasonal lows in deposits from the latter part of the fourth quarter through the first quarter of each calendar year. Additionally, our customers continue to experience an inflationary environment which has contributed to a decline in the balances held in their demand deposit accounts. At December 31, 2022, noninterest-bearing deposits were 63.60% of total deposits, compared to 62.45% at December 31, 2021.
Interest-bearing deposits were $4.67 billion at December 31, 2022, a decrease of $200.5 million, or 4.12%, when compared to $4.87 billion at December 31, 2021. Customer repurchase agreements totaled $565.4 million at December 31, 2022, compared to $642.4 million at December 31, 2021. Interest-bearing deposits and customer repurchase agreements declined $339 million from September 30, 2022, including the impact of some of our customers deploying excess funds with our CitizensTrust Group. Our average cost of total deposits including customer repurchase agreements was 0.05% for both 2022 and 2021. Our average cost of funds for 2022 was 0.06%, compared to 0.05% for 2021. The one basis point increase in the cost of funds year-over-year was the result of a one basis point increase in the cost of interest bearing deposits, as well as noninterest-bearing deposits growing on average by $1.02 billion.
At December 31, 2022, we had $995.0 million in overnight borrowings, compared to $2.3 million in short-term borrowings at December 31, 2021. The combination of seasonal growth in dairy and livestock loans, seasonal deposit declines, the impact of cash burn on deposits from inflationary pressures, and other competitive market conditions resulted in higher overnight borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank during the fourth quarter of 2022. With slowing loan demand, cash flow generated from our investment securities, and the normal historical inflows of deposits we experience from the beginning of the year, borrowings may moderate during the first half of 2023. However, continued increases in short-term rates and overall inflationary pressures may continue to create challenges that impact deposit levels and our liquidity. Over the last twelve months, the Federal Reserve has increased the Federal Funds rate by 425 basis points to the target range of 4.25% to 4.50%. In comparison to the rising Federal Funds rate, our average cost of funds increased from 0.05% for 2021 to 0.06% for 2022. We had $161.2 million in average overnight borrowings in the fourth quarter of 2022, at a cost of 4.49%. These overnight borrowings and an increase in the cost of deposits and customer repurchase agreements from 5 basis points in the third quarter of 2022 to 8 basis points in the fourth quarter, increased our cost of funds by 8 basis points to 0.13% for the fourth quarter of 2022. We redeemed our $25.8 million junior subordinated debentures on June 15, 2021. The debentures, bearing interest at three-month LIBOR plus 1.38%, had an original maturity of 2036.
The allowance for credit losses totaled $85.1 million at December 31, 2022, compared to $65.0 million at December 31, 2021. At December 31, 2022, ACL as a percentage of total loans and leases outstanding was 0.94%. This compares to 0.82% December 31, 2021. The increase in the ACL as a percentage of total loans was primarily the result of a deterioration in the forecast of macroeconomic variables due to rampant inflation, rising interest rates, and recent declines in GDP.
The Company’s total equity was $1.95 billion at December 31, 2022. This represented an overall decrease of $133.0 million from total equity of $2.08 billion at December 31, 2021. Increases to equity during 2022, included $197.1 million for the issuance of 8.6 million shares to acquire Suncrest and $235.4 million in net earnings. Decreases included $108.1 million in cash dividends and a $350.8 million decrease in other comprehensive income from the tax effected impact of the decline in fair value of available-for-sale securities. During 2022, we executed on a $70 million accelerated stock repurchase program and retired 2,993,551 shares of common stock at an average price of $23.38. We also repurchased, under our 10b5-1 stock repurchase plan, 1,914,590 shares of common stock, at an average repurchase price of $23.43, totaling $44.9 million. Our tangible book value per share at December 31, 2022 was $8.30.
Our capital ratios under the revised capital framework referred to as Basel III remain well-above regulatory requirements. As of December 31, 2022, the Company’s Tier 1 leverage capital ratio totaled 9.53%, our common equity Tier 1 ratio totaled 13.55%, our Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio totaled 13.55%, and our total risk-based capital ratio totaled 14.37%. We did not elect to phase in the impact of CECL on regulatory capital, as allowed under the interim final rule of the FDIC and other U.S. banking agencies. Refer to our Analysis of Financial Condition — Capital Resources.
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Acquisition Related
On January 7, 2022, the Company completed the merger transaction whereby Suncrest Bank (“Suncrest”), headquartered in Visalia, California, merged with and into the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary Citizens Business Bank (“Citizens”), in accordance with the terms and conditions of that certain Agreement and Plan of Reorganization and Merger (“Merger Agreement”), dated as of July 27, 2021, by and among the Company, the Bank and Suncrest, in a stock and cash transaction valued at approximately $237 million in aggregate, or $18.63 per Suncrest share based on CVB Financial Corp.’s closing stock price of $22.87 on January 7, 2022. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Company issued approximately 8.6 million shares of Company common stock and approximately $39.6 million in aggregate cash consideration, including cash paid out in settlement of outstanding incentive stock option awards at Suncrest.
At close, the total fair value of assets acquired approximated $1.38 billion in total assets, including $329.0 million of cash and cash equivalents, net of cash paid, $131.1 million of investment securities, and $765.9 million in net loans. The acquired loans were recorded at fair value, which reflected a net discount of 1.5% for the entire loan portfolio. Approximately 30% of the acquired loans are considered PCD loans. An allowance for credit loss of $8.6 million was established for these PCD loans at acquisition. In addition, the acquired PCD loans were further discounted by almost 2% to adjust them to fair value. Non-PCD loans were valued at a total premium of 0.3%, net of a credit discount of 1.5%. We recorded a loan loss provision to establish a day one allowance for credit losses of $4.9 million on the non-PCD loans.
Suncrest had seven branch locations and two loan production offices in California’s Central Valley and the Sacramento metro area, which opened as Citizens Business Bank locations on January 10, 2022. The integration of Suncrest, including the conversion of core systems in the first quarter of 2022, was completed with the consolidation of two banking centers during the second quarter of 2022.
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ANALYSIS OF THE RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Financial Performance
Variance
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Earnings per common share:
Return on Average Tangible Common Equity Reconciliations (Non-GAAP)
The return on average tangible common equity is a non-GAAP disclosure. The Company uses certain non-GAAP financial measures to provide supplemental information regarding the Company’s performance. The following is a reconciliation of net income, adjusted for tax-effected amortization of intangibles, to net income computed in accordance with GAAP; a reconciliation of average tangible common equity to the Company’s average stockholders’ equity computed in accordance with GAAP; as well as a calculation of return on average tangible common equity.
Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
Return on average equity, annualized 11.39 % 10.30 % 8.90 %
Return on average tangible common equity 18.85 % 15.93 % 14.25 %
(1)
Tax effected at respective statutory rates.
Net Interest Income
The principal component of our earnings is net interest income, which is the difference between the interest and fees earned on loans and investments (interest-earning assets) and the interest paid on deposits and borrowed funds (interest-bearing liabilities). Net interest margin is net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets for the period. The level of interest rates and the volume and mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities impact net interest income and net interest margin. The net interest spread is the yield on average interest-earning assets minus the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest margin and net interest spread are included on a tax equivalent (TE) basis by adjusting interest income utilizing the federal statutory tax rates of 21% in effect for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020. Our net interest income, interest spread, and net interest margin are sensitive to general business and economic conditions. These conditions include short-term and long-term interest rates, inflation, monetary supply, and the strength of the international, national and state economies, in general, and more specifically, the local economies in which we conduct business. Our ability to manage net interest income during changing interest rate environments will have a significant impact on our overall performance. We manage net interest income through affecting changes in the mix of interest-earning assets as well as the mix of interest-bearing liabilities, changes in the level of interest-bearing liabilities in
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proportion to interest-earning assets, and in the growth and maturity of earning assets. See Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Asset/Liability and Market Risk Management — Interest Rate Sensitivity Management included herein.
The tables below present the interest rate spread, net interest margin and the composition of average interest-earning assets and average interest-bearing liabilities by category for the periods indicated, including the changes in average balance, composition, and average yield/rate between these respective periods.
Interest-Earning Assets and Interest-Bearing Liabilities
Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS
Investment securities (1)
Available-for-sale securities:
Held-to-maturity securities:
INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES
Net interest spread - tax equivalent 3.20 % 2.90 % 3.39 %
Net interest margin - tax equivalent 3.30 % 2.97 % 3.59 %
(1)
Includes tax equivalent (TE) adjustments utilizing a federal statutory rate of 21% in effect for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020. The non-TE rates for tax-advantaged HTM investment securities were 2.46%, 2.21% and 2.69% for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The non-TE rates for total investment securities was 2.00%, 1.53% and 2.04% for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
(2)
Includes loan fees of $8.1 million, $27.5 million and $23.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Prepayment penalty fees of $6.9 million, $9.0 million and $8.2 million are included in interest income for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
(3)
Includes interest-bearing demand and money market accounts.
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The following table presents a comparison of interest income and interest expense resulting from changes in the volumes and rates on average interest-earning assets and average interest-bearing liabilities for the periods indicated. Changes in interest income or expense attributable to volume changes are calculated by multiplying the change in volume by the initial average interest rate. The change in interest income or expense attributable to changes in interest rates is calculated by multiplying the change in interest rate by the initial volume. The changes attributable to interest rate and volume changes are calculated by multiplying the change in rate times the change in volume and reflect an adjustment for the number of days as appropriate.
Rate and Volume Analysis for Changes in Interest Income, Interest Expense and Net Interest Income
Comparison of Year Ended December 31,
Volume Rate Rate/Volume Total Volume Rate Rate/Volume Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest income:
Available-for-sale securities:
Tax-advantaged investment securities (69 ) 37 (4 ) (36 ) (180 ) (2 ) — (182 )
Held-to-maturity securities:
Interest expense:
2022 Compared to 2021
Net interest income, before provision for (recapture of) credit losses of $505.5 million for 2022 increased $91.0 million, or 21.94%, compared to $414.6 million for 2021. Interest-earning assets grew on average by $1.34 billion, or 9.54%, from $14.10 billion for 2021 to $15.44 billion for 2022. Our net interest margin (TE) was 3.30% for 2022, compared to 2.97% for 2021. The 33 basis point increase in our net interest margin was primarily the result of a 34 basis point increase in earning asset yield, while maintaining our very low cost of funds that increased from five basis points for 2021 to six basis for 2022, during a period of time when the Federal Reserve increased short-term interest rates by 425 basis points.
Total interest income for 2022 of $514.7 million grew by $94.0 million, or 22.36%, when compared to 2021. The increase in interest income was due to a combination of growth in average interest-earning assets of $1.34 billion and a 34 basis point expansion of the earning asset yield, from 3.02% for 2021 to 3.36% for 2022. The $1.34 billion increase in average earning assets for 2022 benefited from the acquisition of $775 million of loans from Suncrest at the beginning of the year, as well as core loan growth, which excluding Suncrest and the $538.3 million decline in average PPP loans was $374.7 million, and a $1.88 billion increase in the average size of our investment portfolio. The 34 basis point increase in the earning asset yield was due to a 47 basis point increase in security yields, a seven basis point increase in loan yields, and a change in the composition of average earning assets, with the investment portfolio growing from 28.79% to 38.47% of average earnings assets, while funds held at the Federal Reserve on average declined from 13.64% to 5.15% for 2022, compared to 2021. Average loans as a percentage of earning assets declined from 57.22% for 2021 to 56.20% for 2022. Throughout 2022, we deployed some of the excess liquidity previously held on deposit at the Federal Reserve into additional investment securities by purchasing approximately $1.76 billion in securities.
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Total interest income and fees on loans for 2022 of $389.2 million increased $32.6 million, or 9.14% when compared to 2021. The increase in interest income and fees on loans was primarily due to a $610.9 million increase in average loans, which included approximately $775 million in loans acquired from Suncrest on January 7, 2022. Average loans grew by approximately $374.7 million, when Suncrest and the $538.3 million decrease in average PPP loans are excluded. Loan yields were 4.49% for 2022, compared to 4.42% for 2021. Interest and fee income from PPP loans declined by $25.0 million from $30.5 million for 2021. Discount accretion on acquired loans decreased by $4.4 million compared to 2021. After excluding discount accretion, nonaccrual interest income and the impact from PPP loans, our ("core") loan yields grew by 17 basis points compared to 2021. Our core loan yields grew throughout 2022, as rising interest rates contributed to an increase from 4.08% in the fourth quarter of 2021 to 4.42% for the third quarter of 2022 and 4.67% in the fourth quarter of 2022.
In general, we stop accruing interest on a loan after its principal or interest becomes 90 days or more past due. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual, all interest previously accrued but not collected is charged against earnings. There was no interest income that was accrued and not reversed on nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2022 and 2021. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, we had $4.9 million and $6.9 million of nonaccrual loans, respectively.
Interest income from investment securities was $117.6 million for 2022, a $57.1 million, or 94.47%, increase from $60.4 million for 2021. Investment income growth resulted from higher levels of investment securities as a result of purchases of investment securities primarily funded by our funds on deposit at the Federal Reserve, which declined from $1.64 billion at the end of 2021 to $45.2 million at December 31, 2022. As our excess liquidity held at the Federal Reserve was invested into higher yielding investments, our balance at the Federal Reserve averaged $795.8 million for 2022, compared to $1.92 billion for 2021. Investment securities were $5.94 billion on average in 2022, a $1.88 billion increase compared to 2021. During 2022, we purchased approximately $1.76 billion in investment securities, with expected non-TE weighted average yield of approximately 2.94%. Overall, the tax-equivalent yield on securities grew from 1.56% in 2021 to 2.03% in 2022.
Interest expense of $9.2 million for 2022 increased $3.1 million, or 50.58%, compared to $6.1 million for 2021. Although short-term interest rates were 425 basis points higher by the end of 2022 in comparison to the end of the prior year, the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities increased by four basis points, to 0.16% for 2022 from 0.12% for 2021. As interest-bearing deposit costs only increased by one basis point, this four basis point increase was the result of overnight borrowings during the fourth quarter of 2022. Average interest-bearing liabilities were $589.9 million higher for 2022 when compared to 2021. On average, noninterest-bearing deposits were 62.85% of our total deposits for 2022, compared to 62.83% for 2021. Our overall cost of funds increased by one basis point compared to 2021, partially due to growth in average noninterest-bearing deposits of $1.02 billion, compared to the increase in average interest-bearing deposits of $600.0 million. Due to recent increases in market rates, we experienced some pressure to increase deposit rates, as reflected in our interest-bearing deposit costs increasing from 13 basis points in the third quarter to 22 basis points in the fourth quarter of 2022.
2021 Compared to 2020
Net interest income of $414.6 million for 2021 decreased $1.5 million, or 0.36%, compared to $416.1 million for 2020. Interest-earning assets increased on average by $2.41 billion, or 20.61%, from $11.69 billion for 2020 to $14.10 billion for 2021. Our net interest margin (TE) was 2.97% for 2021, compared to 3.59% for 2020.
Interest income for 2021 of $420.6 million declined by $9.7 million, or 2.26%, when compared to 2020, as interest income and fees on loans declined by $20.8 million, or 5.51%, year-over-year. Compared to 2020, average interest-earning assets increased by $2.41 billion and the yield on average earning assets was 3.02% for 2021, compared to 3.71% for 2020. The 69 basis point decrease in the interest-earning asset yield over 2020 resulted from a 26 basis point decrease in loan yields from 4.68% for 2020 to 4.42% for 2021, and a 51 basis point decline in the non-tax equivalent investment yields, as well as a change in mix of earning assets, resulting from an $857.5 million increase in average balances at the Federal Reserve. The decrease in earning asset yield was impacted by a change in asset mix with average loan balances declining to 57.22% of earning assets for 2021, compared to 69.02% for 2020, as well as lower loan and investment yields. Conversely the average balances at the Federal Reserve grew as a percentage of average earning assets to 13.64% for 2021, compared to 9.11% for 2020.
Interest income and fees on loans for 2021 of $356.6 million decreased $20.8 million, or 5.51% when compared to 2020. The average balance of loans was essentially the same in 2021 when compared to 2020, as core loans grew on average by $85.1 million, while PPP loans on average decreased $85.7 million. Loan yields decreased by 26 basis points from 2020. PPP loans resulted in approximately $24.3 million in fee income and $6.2 million in loan interest during 2021, compared to $21.4 million in fee income and $7.1 million in loan interest during 2020. Discount accretion on acquired loans and nonrecurring nonaccrual interest paid decreased by $5.2 million compared to 2020. The decline in interest rates since the start of the pandemic has had a negative impact on loan yields, which, after excluding discount accretion, nonaccrual interest
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income and the impact from PPP loans, declined by 27 basis points compared to 2020. The decline in loan yields was due to lower rates on loans indexed to variable interest rates such as the Bank’s prime rate and lower yields on new loans in the low rate environment experienced for much of the last two years.
There was no interest income that was accrued and not reversed on nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2021 and 2020. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had $6.9 million and $14.3 million of nonaccrual loans, respectively.
Interest income from investment securities was $60.4 million for 2021, a $10.2 million, or 20.23%, increase from $50.3 million for 2020. Investment income growth resulted from higher levels of investment securities as a result of purchases of investment securities funded by the growth in the Bank's deposits. This increase was the net result of a $1.55 billion increase in average investment securities, partially offset by a 51 basis point decline in the non TE yield on securities, compared to 2020. The significant decline in interest rates from 2020 to 2021 decreased yields on investment securities due partly to higher levels of premium amortization, as well as lower yields on investments purchased during the years of 2020 and 2021. We continued to maintain a significant amount of funds at the Federal Reserve in 2021. Our Federal Reserve balance averaged more than $1.9 billion for 2021, which was $857,000 greater than the average for 2020.
Interest expense of $6.1 million for 2021 decreased $8.2 million, or 57.43%, compared to $14.3 million for 2020. The average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities decreased by 20 basis points, to 0.12% for 2021, from 0.32% for 2020. Average interest-bearing liabilities were $761.1 million higher for 2021 when compared to 2020. Noninterest-bearing deposits grew on average by $1.54 billion, or 24.45% compared to 2020, while interest-bearing deposits and customer repurchase agreements grew on average by $779.0 million for 2021. On average, noninterest-bearing deposits were 62.83% of our total deposits for 2021, compared to 61.24% for 2020. Total cost of funds was 0.05% for 2021, compared with 0.13% for 2020.
Provision for (Recapture of) Credit Losses
The provision for (recapture of) credit losses is a charge (credit) to earnings to maintain the allowance for credit losses at a level consistent with management’s assessment of expected lifetime losses in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date.
We recorded provision for credit losses of $10.6 million in 2022 due to both core loan growth of approximately $600 million and a deteriorating economic forecast of key macroeconomic variables. During 2022, we experienced credit charge-offs of $197,000 and total recoveries of $1.1 million, resulting in net recoveries of $893,000. A $25.5 million recapture of provision for credit losses was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2021, resulting from improvements in our economic forecast that resulted from the unprecedented impact and uncertainty of the pandemic in 2020. This recapture, generally reversed the increase in the allowance for credit loss for 2020 that was due to the severe economic disruption forecasted as a result of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. For 2021, we experienced credit charge-offs of $3.4 million and total recoveries of $198,000, resulting in net charge-offs of $3.2 million. Our economic forecast continues to be a blend of multiple forecasts produced by Moody’s. These U.S. economic forecasts include a baseline forecast, as well as downside forecasts. We continue to have the largest individual scenario weighting on the baseline forecast, with downside risks weighted among multiple forecasts. As of December 31, 2022, the resulting weighted forecast assumes GDP will increase by 0.3% in 2023, including a decline in GDP for the first half of 2023, followed by modest growth of 1.3% for 2024 and then grow by 2.8% in 2025. The unemployment rate is forecasted to be 4.8% in 2023, 5.1% in 2024 and then decline to 4.5% in 2025.
No assurance can be given that economic conditions which affect the Company’s service areas or other circumstances will or will not be reflected in future changes in the level of our allowance for credit losses and the resulting provision or recapture of provision for credit losses. The process to estimate the allowance for credit losses requires considerable judgment and our economic forecasts may continue to vary due to the uncertainty of the future impact from the recent rise in interest rates, geopolitical events in Europe, and global inflation will have on future interest rates, unemployment, the overall economy and resulting impact on our customers. See “Allowance for Credit Losses” under Analysis of Financial Condition herein.
Noninterest Income
Noninterest income includes income derived from financial services offered to our customers, such as CitizensTrust, BankCard services, international banking, and other business services. Also included in noninterest income are service charges and fees, primarily from deposit accounts, gains (net of losses) from the disposition of investment securities, loans, other real estate owned, and fixed assets, and other revenues not included as interest on earning assets.
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The following table sets forth the various components of noninterest income for the periods presented.
Variance
(Dollars in thousands)
Noninterest income:
2022 Compared to 2021
The $2.6 million increase in noninterest income included an increase of $4.2 million, or 24.66%, in service charges on deposit accounts, $2.4 million in net gain on the sale of one of our properties, and a $2.1 million gain from a distribution related to one of our CRA investments. Income from BOLI declined by $3.1 million from the prior year, as we incurred a $2.7 million decline in the market value of separate account life insurance policies that are used to fund our deferred compensation liabilities. Offsetting the $2.1 million gain on a CRA investment, 2022 also included a $1.1 million decrease in certain CRA investments due to valuation changes. Noninterest income for 2021 included $1.2 million net gain on the sale of three OREO properties and $890,000 for recovery of an acquired loan charged off prior to a previous acquisition.
The Bank enters into interest rate swap agreements with our customers to manage our interest rate risk and enters into identical offsetting swaps with a counterparty. The changes in the fair value of the swaps primarily offset each other resulting in swap fee income (refer to Note 20 — Derivative Financial Instruments of the notes to the consolidated financial statements of this report for additional information). Swap fee income decreased $382,000 compared to 2021, as there were no executed swap agreements related to new loan originations for 2022. Generally speaking, our volume of interest rate swaps is impacted by the shape of the yield curve, with a relatively flat yield curve more conducive to a higher volume of swaps, while an inverted yield curve less conducive. We executed on swap agreements related to new loan originations with a notional amount totaling $25.3 million for 2021.
CitizensTrust consists of Wealth Management and Investment Services income. The Wealth Management group provides a variety of services, which include asset management, financial planning, estate planning, retirement planning, private and corporate trustee services, and probate services. Investment Services provides self-directed brokerage, 401(k) plans, mutual funds, insurance and other non-insured investment products. At December 31, 2022, CitizensTrust had approximately $2.9 billion in assets under management and administration, including $1.92 billion in assets under management. CitizensTrust generated fees of $11.5 million for 2022, which were nearly flat compared to $11.6 million for 2021. Market conditions have continued to negatively impact assets under management and trust fee income. Additionally, a large trust relationship with more than $800 million in assets was transitioned to a financial institution outside of California. The transition was completed by the end of 2022, with the impact on fee income expected to be reflected in 2023. Offsetting this transfer of assets and the impact of the market on our assets under management and administration, was the growth in managed assets from $350 million of our customer deposits that are now being managed by CitizensTrust in various liquidity strategies.
The Bank’s investment in BOLI includes life insurance policies acquired through acquisitions and the purchase of life insurance by the Bank on a select group of employees. The Bank is the owner and beneficiary of these policies. BOLI is recorded as an asset at its cash surrender value. The policies consist of general account, separate account, and hybrid policies. Increases in the cash value of these policies, as well as insurance proceeds received, are recorded in noninterest income and are not subject to income tax, as long as they are held for the life of the covered parties. Income from our BOLI policies for 2022 included $3.6 million of death benefits that exceeded cash surrender values, compared to $3.9 million of death benefits for 2021.
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2021 Compared to 2020
The $2.5 million decrease in noninterest income was primarily due to a $4.6 million decrease in swap fee income from 2020 due to lower volume of swap transactions. Partially offsetting the overall decrease in noninterest income was a $1.6 million increase in Trust and investment services income and a $591,000 year-over-year increase in service charges on deposit accounts. Noninterest income for 2021 also included $1.2 million in net gain on the sale of three OREO properties, while 2020 included $1.7 million net gain on the sale of one of our owned buildings and a $365,000 net gain on the sale of two OREO properties. The $373,000 increase in other income in 2021 included $890,000 for recovery of an acquired loan charged off prior to a previous acquisition.
Swap fee income decreased $4.6 million compared to 2020, due to lower volume of swap transactions. We executed on swap agreements related to new loan originations with a notional amount totaling $25.3 million for 2021, compared to $280.4 million for 2020. The volume of interest rate swaps can be impacted by competitive factors, as well as the current and forecasted interest rate environment.
At December 31, 2021, CitizensTrust had approximately $3.45 billion in assets under management and administration, including $2.50 billion in assets under management. CitizensTrust generated fees of $11.6 million for 2021, an increase of $1.6 million compared to $10.0 million for 2020, due to the growth in assets under management.
Income from our BOLI policies for 2021 included $3.9 million of death benefits that exceeded cash surrender values, compared to $2.8 million of death benefits for 2020.
Noninterest Expense
The following table summarizes the various components of noninterest expense for the periods presented.
Variance
(Dollars in thousands)
Noninterest expense:
Noninterest expense to average assets 1.28 % 1.24 % 1.49 %
(1)
Noninterest expense divided by net interest income before provision for credit losses plus noninterest income.
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Our ability to control noninterest expenses in relation to asset growth can be measured in terms of total noninterest expenses as a percentage of average assets. Noninterest expense as a percentage of average assets was 1.28% for 2022, compared to 1.24% for 2021 and 1.49% for 2020, respectively. The increase in this ratio from 2021 to 2022, reflects the impact of inflationary pressures on staff related expenses and payments to vendors. In addition, we continued to invest in technology to enhance the products and services offered to our customers, as well as automation of administrative processes throughout the Bank. The decline in this ratio for 2021 compared with 2020 reflects the $2.42 billion growth in average assets that resulted primarily from $2.18 billion in average deposit growth that fueled an average balance at the Federal Reserve of $1.92 billion.
Our ability to control noninterest expenses in relation to the level of total revenue (net interest income before provision for credit losses plus noninterest income) can be measured by the efficiency ratio and indicates the percentage of net revenue that is used to cover expenses. The efficiency ratio was 38.98% for 2022, compared to 41.09% for 2021 and 41.40% for 2020. The decline in the efficiency ratio in 2022 was primarily due to the expansion of the net interest margin.
2022 Compared to 2021
Noninterest expense of $216.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $26.8 million higher than 2021. The year-over-year increase included a $13.7 million increase in salaries and employee benefits, which included additional compensation related expenses for the newly hired and former Suncrest associates. Occupancy and equipment increased by $3.0 million due to the addition of seven banking centers resulting from the acquisition of Suncrest, two of which were subsequently consolidated by the end of the second quarter of 2022. Acquisition expense related to the merger of Suncrest was $6.0 million for 2022, compared with $962,000 for 2021. The increase in software expense of $1.9 million, included costs associated with the continued use of Suncrest's legacy banking systems, prior to conversions, as well as continued investments in technology. A $1.7 million increase in marketing and promotion expense for 2022 was primarily due to the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on marketing and promotional events in 2021. Professional service expense grew by $1.4 million, including increased costs for legal and employee recruiting of $854,000. The year-over-year increase also included a $1.0 million recapture of provision for unfunded loan commitments recorded in 2021.
2021 Compared to 2020
Noninterest expense of $189.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $3.1 million, or 1.62% lower than 2020. This year-over-year decrease included a $1.9 million decrease in salaries and employee benefits, partially due to a $1.1 million in additional bonus expense for “Thank You Awards” paid to all Bank employees during the third quarter of 2020. The year-over-year decrease also included a $1.5 million decrease in professional services expense, a $1.1 million decrease in Core Deposit Intangible ("CDI") amortization, a $1.2 million decrease in OREO expense primarily due to a $700,000 write-down of one OREO property in 2020, and a $1.0 million recapture of provision for unfunded loan commitments recorded in 2021, compared to no recapture of provision in 2020. These decreases were partially offset by a $2.3 million increase in regulatory assessment expense compared to the prior year, which resulted from the final application of assessment credits provided by the FDIC at the end of the second quarter of 2020. Additionally, there were $962,000 in acquisition related expenses for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to no merger related expenses for 2020.
Income Taxes
The Company’s effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2022 was 28.30%, compared with 28.60% and 29.00% for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Our estimated annual effective tax rate also varies depending upon the level of tax-advantaged income as well as available tax credits. Refer to Note 11 — Income Taxes of the notes to consolidated financial statements for more information.
The effective tax rates are below the nominal combined Federal and State tax rate as a result of tax-advantaged income from certain municipal security investments, municipal loans and leases and BOLI, as well as available tax credits for each period.
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ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
Total assets of $16.48 billion at December 31, 2022 increased $592.8 million, or 3.73%, from total assets of $15.88 billion at December 31, 2021. Interest-earning assets of $14.97 billion at December 31, 2022, increased by $287.5 million, or 1.96%, when compared with $14.68 billion at December 31, 2021. The increase in interest-earning assets included a $1.19 billion increase in total loans and a $699.6 million increase in investment securities, partially offset by a $1.60 billion decrease in interest-earning balances due from the Federal Reserve.
On January 7, 2022, we completed the acquisition of Suncrest with approximately $1.38 billion in total assets, acquired at fair value, and seven banking centers. The increase in total assets at December 31, 2022 included $765.9 million of acquired net loans at fair value, $131.1 million of investment securities, and $9 million in bank-owned life insurance. The acquisition resulted in $102.1 million of goodwill and $3.9 million in core deposit intangibles. Net cash proceeds were used to fund the $39.6 million in cash paid to the former shareholders of Suncrest as part of the merger consideration.
Total liabilities were $14.53 billion at December 31, 2022, an increase of $725.8 million, or 5.26%, from total liabilities of $13.80 billion at December 31, 2021. Total deposits declined by $140.2 million, or 1.08%. We had borrowings of $995 million overnight from the Federal Home Loan Bank as of December 31, 2022. The seasonal increase in dairy & livestock loans that occurs every year end, as well as a decrease in deposits late in 2022, driven by the higher interest rates and an inflationary environment, as well as seasonal declines in deposits, resulted in higher levels of borrowing at year end. Total equity decreased $133.0 million, or 6.39%, to $1.95 billion at December 31, 2022, compared to total equity of $2.08 billion at December 31, 2021. Increases to equity during 2022, included $197.1 million for the issuance of 8.6 million shares to acquire Suncrest and $235.4 million in net earnings. Decreases included $108.1 million in cash dividends and a $350.8 million decrease in other comprehensive income from the tax effected impact of the decline in market value of available-for-sale securities. During 2022, we executed on a $70 million accelerated stock repurchase program and retired 2,993,551 shares of common stock at an average price of $23.38. We also repurchased, under our 10b5-1 stock repurchase plan, 1,914,590 shares of common stock, at an average repurchase price of $23.43, totaling $44.9 million.
Investment Securities
The Company maintains a portfolio of investment securities to provide interest income and to serve as a source of liquidity for our ongoing operations. At December 31, 2022, total investment securities were $5.81 billion. This represented an increase of $699.6 million, or 13.69%, from total investment securities of $5.11 billion at December 31, 2021. The increase in investment securities was primarily due to new securities purchased in excess of the cash outflow from the portfolio in 2022. At December 31, 2022, investment securities HTM totaled $2.55 billion. At December 31, 2022, our AFS investment securities totaled $3.26 billion, inclusive of a pre-tax net unrealized loss of $500.1 million. The after-tax unrealized loss reported in AOCI on AFS investment securities was $352.2 million. The changes in the net unrealized holding gain (loss) resulted primarily from fluctuations in market interest rates. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, repayments/maturities of investment securities totaled $661.5 million and $928.4 million, respectively. The Company purchased additional investment securities totaling $1.76 billion and $3.16 billion for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. There were no investment securities sold during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
The tables below set forth our investment securities AFS and HTM portfolio by type for the dates presented.
December 31,
Fair Value Percent Fair Value Percent
(Dollars in thousands)
Investment securities available-for-sale
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December 31,
AmortizedCost Percent AmortizedCost Percent
(Dollars in thousands)
Investment securities held-to-maturity
The maturity distribution of the AFS and HTM portfolios consist of the following as of the date presented.
(Dollars in thousands)
Investment securities available-for-sale:
Weighted average yield:
Other securities 2.51 % — — — 2.51 %
(1)
The weighted average yield for the portfolio is based on projected duration and is not tax-equivalent. The tax-equivalent yield at December 31, 2022 was 3.20%.
(Dollars in thousands)
Investment securities held-to-maturity:
Weighted average yield:
Government agency/GSE — — 1.52 % 1.90 % 1.81 %
(1)
The weighted average yield for the portfolio is based on projected duration and is not tax-equivalent. The tax equivalent yield at December 31, 2022 was 3.33%.
The maturity of each security category is defined as the contractual maturity except for the categories of mortgage-backed securities and CMO/REMIC whose maturities are defined as the estimated average life. The final maturity of mortgage-backed securities and CMO/REMIC will differ from their contractual maturities because the underlying mortgages have the right to repay such obligations without penalty. The speed at which the underlying mortgages repay is influenced by many factors, one of which is interest rates. Mortgages tend to repay faster as interest rates fall and slower as interest rate rise. This will either shorten or extend the estimated average life. Also, the yield on mortgage-backed securities and CMO/REMIC are affected by the speed at which the underlying mortgages repay. This is caused by the change in the amount
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of amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts of each security as repayments increase or decrease. The Company obtains the estimated average life of each security from independent third parties.
The weighted-average yield on the total investment portfolio at December 31, 2022 was 2.13% with a weighted-average life of 6.9 years. This compares to a weighted-average yield of 1.71% at December 31, 2021 with a weighted-average life of 5.5 years. The weighted average life is the average number of years that each dollar of unpaid principal due remains outstanding. Average life is computed as the weighted-average time to the receipt of all future cash flows, using as the weights the dollar amounts of the principal pay-downs.
Approximately 91% of the securities in the total investment portfolio, at December 31, 2022, are issued by the U.S. government or U.S. government-sponsored agencies and enterprises, which have the implied guarantee of payment of principal and interest. As of December 31, 2022, approximately $43.0 million in U.S. government agency bonds are callable. The Agency CMO/REMIC are backed by agency-pooled collateral. Municipal bonds, which represented approximately 9% of the total investment portfolio, are predominately AA or higher rated securities.
The Company held investment securities in excess of 10% of shareholders’ equity from the following issuers as of the dates presented.
December 31,
Book Value Market Value Book Value Market Value
(Dollars in thousands)
Major issuer:
Municipal securities held by the Company are issued by various states and their various local municipalities. The following tables present municipal securities by the top holdings by state as of the dates presented.
AmortizedCost Percent ofTotal Fair Value Percent ofTotal
(Dollars in thousands)
Municipal Securities available-for-sale:
Municipal Securities held-to-maturity:
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AmortizedCost Percent ofTotal Fair Value Percent ofTotal
(Dollars in thousands)
Municipal Securities available-for-sale:
Municipal Securities held-to-maturity:
Under ASU 2016-13, once it is determined that a credit loss has occurred, an allowance for credit losses is established on our available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities. Prior to adoption of this standard, when a decline in fair value of a debt security was determined to be other than temporary, an impairment charge for the credit component was recorded, and a new cost basis in the investment was established. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, management determined that credit losses did not exist for securities in an unrealized loss position.
The following tables present the Company’s available-for-sale investment securities, by investment category, in an unrealized loss position for which an allowance for credit losses has not been recorded as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021.
Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Investment securities available-for-sale:
Investment securities held-to-maturity:
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Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Investment securities available-for-sale:
Municipal bonds — — — — — —
Refer to Note 5 – Investment Securities of the notes to the consolidated financial statements of this report for additional information on our investment securities portfolio.
Loans
Total loans and leases, at amortized cost, of $9.08 billion at December 31, 2022, increased by $1.19 billion, or 15.11%, from $7.89 billion at December 31, 2021. The increase in total loans included $774.5 million of loans acquired from Suncrest in the first quarter of 2022. After adjusting for acquired loans and forgiveness of PPP loans, our core loans grew by $634.3 million, or 8.24% from December 31, 2021. The $634.3 million core loan growth included $514.4 million in commercial real estate loans, $51.2 million in commercial and industrial loans, $31.9 million in dairy & livestock and agribusiness loans, $25.1 million in SFR mortgage loans, $17.9 million in municipal lease financings, and $9.3 million in construction loans, partially offset by a decrease of $17.8 million in SBA loans. PPP loans decreased by $217.1 million, resulting in a remaining balance of $9.1 million at December 31, 2022.
Total loans, at amortized cost, comprised 60.65% of our total earning assets as of December 31, 2022. The following table presents our loan portfolio by type as of the dates presented.
Distribution of Loan Portfolio by Type
December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
Less: Deferred loan fees, net (2) — — — (3,742 ) (4,828 )
Discount on PCI loans —
Less: Allowance for credit losses (204 )
Total loans and lease finance receivables, net $ 7,700,998
(1)
Beginning with June 30, 2019, PCI loans were accounted for and combined with Non-PCI loans and were reflected in total loans and lease finance receivables.
(2)
Beginning with March 31, 2020, gross loans are presented net of deferred loan fees (at amortized cost) by respective class of financing receivables.
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As of December 31, 2022, $517.8 million, or 7.52% of the total commercial real estate loans included loans secured by farmland, compared to $364.4 million, or 6.29%, at December 31, 2021. The loans secured by farmland included $140.5 million for loans secured by dairy & livestock land and $377.3 million for loans secured by agricultural land at December 31, 2022, compared to $134.9 million for loans secured by dairy & livestock land and $229.5 million for loans secured by agricultural land at December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2022, dairy & livestock and agribusiness loans of $433.6 million were comprised of $388.5 million for dairy & livestock loans and $45.1 million for agribusiness loans. This compares to $351.7 million for dairy & livestock loans and $34.5 million for agribusiness loans at December 31, 2021.
Real estate loans are loans secured by conforming trust deeds on real property, including property under construction, land development, commercial property and single-family and multi-family residences. Our real estate loans are comprised of industrial, office, retail, medical, single family residences, multi-family residences, and farmland. Consumer loans include installment loans to consumers as well as home equity loans, auto and equipment leases and other loans secured by junior liens on real property. Municipal lease finance receivables are leases to municipalities. Dairy & livestock and agribusiness loans are loans to finance the operating needs of wholesale dairy farm operations, cattle feeders, livestock raisers and farmers.
As of December 31, 2022, the Company had $211.5 million of total SBA 504 loans. SBA 504 loans include term loans to finance capital expenditures and for the purchase of commercial real estate. Initially the Bank provides two separate loans to the borrower representing a first and second lien on the collateral. The loan with the first lien is typically at a 50% advance to the acquisition costs and the second lien loan provides the financing for 40% of the acquisition costs with the borrower’s down payment of 10% of the acquisition costs. The Bank retains the first lien loan for its term and sells the second lien loan to the SBA subordinated debenture program. A majority of the Bank’s 504 loans are granted for the purpose of commercial real estate acquisition. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had $79.4 million of total SBA 7(a) loans that include a guarantee of payment from the SBA (typically 75% of the loan amount, but up to 90% in certain cases) in the event of default. The SBA 7(a) loans include revolving lines of credit (SBA Express) and term loans of up to ten (10) years to finance long-term working capital requirements, capital expenditures, and/or for the purchase or refinance of commercial real estate.
As an active participant in the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program, we originated approximately 4,100 PPP loans totaling $1.10 billion in round one and originated approximately 1,900 PPP loans totaling $420 million in round two. As of December 31, 2022, the remaining outstanding balance of PPP loans totaled $9.1 million.
As of December 31, 2022, the Company had $88.3 million in construction loans. This represents 0.97% of total gross loans held-for-investment. Although our construction loans are located throughout our market footprint, the majority of construction loans consist of commercial land development and construction projects in Los Angeles County, Orange County, and the Inland Empire region of Southern California. There were no nonperforming construction loans at December 31, 2022.
Our loan portfolio is geographically disbursed throughout our marketplace. The following is the breakdown of our total held-for-investment commercial real estate loans, by region as of December 31, 2022.
Total Loans Commercial Real EstateLoans
(Dollars in thousands)
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The table below breaks down our real estate portfolio.
Loan Balance Percent PercentOwner-Occupied (1) AverageLoan Balance
Commercial real estate: (Dollars in thousands)
(1)
Represents percentage of reported owner-occupied at origination in each real estate loan category.
(2)
The loans secured by farmland included $140.5 million for loans secured by dairy & livestock land and $377.3 million for loans secured by agricultural land at December 31, 2022.
(3)
Other loans consist of a variety of loan types, none of which exceeds 2.0% of total commercial real estate loans.
At December 31, 2022, commercial real estate loans on retail properties comprised $981.7 million and approximately 14.3% of total commercial real estate loans. At origination, these loans on retail properties were underwritten with loan-to-values averaging approximately 48%. Approximately 30% of these loans were originated prior to 2017.
The table below provides the maturity distribution for held-for-investment total gross loans as of December 31, 2022. The loan amounts are based on contractual maturities although the borrowers have the ability to prepay the loans. Amounts are also classified according to repricing opportunities or rate sensitivity.
Loan Maturities and Interest Rate Category
WithinOne Year After OneBut WithinFive Years AfterFive Years Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Loan Portfolio by Type:
Amount of Loans based upon:
As a normal practice in extending credit for commercial and industrial purposes, we may accept trust deeds on real property as collateral. In some cases, when the primary source of repayment for the loan is anticipated to come from the cash flow from normal operations of the borrower, and real property has been taken as collateral, the real property is considered a secondary source of repayment for the loan. Since we lend primarily in Southern and Central California, our real estate loan collateral is concentrated in this region.
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Nonperforming Assets
The following table provides information on nonperforming assets as of the dates presented.
December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest — — — — —
Nonperforming troubled debt restructured loans (TDRs) — — — 244 3,509
(1)
Excludes PCI loans.
Troubled Debt Restructurings
Total TDRs were $7.8 million at December 31, 2022, compared to $5.3 million at December 31, 2021. At December 31, 2022, all of our TDRs were performing and accruing interest as restructured loans. Our performing TDRs were generally provided a modification of loan repayment terms in response to borrower financial difficulties. The performing restructured loans represent the only loans accruing interest at each respective reporting date. A performing restructured loan is categorized as such if we believe that it is reasonably assured of repayment and is performing in accordance with the modified terms.
In accordance with regulatory guidance, if borrowers were less than 30 days past due on their loans and entered into loan modifications offered as a result of COVID-19, their loans generally continued to be considered performing loans and continued to accrue interest during the period of the loan modification. For borrowers who were 30 days or more past due when entering into loan modifications offered as a result of COVID-19, we evaluated the loan modifications under our existing troubled debt restructuring framework, and where such a loan modification would result in a concession to a borrower experiencing financial difficulty, the loan would be accounted for as a TDR and generally would not accrue interest. For all borrowers who enrolled in these loan modification programs offered as a result of COVID-19, the delinquency status of the borrowers was frozen, resulting in a static delinquency metric during the deferral period. Upon exiting the deferral program, the measurement of loan delinquency resumed where it had left off upon entry into the program.
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The following table provides a summary of TDRs as of the dates presented.
December 31,
Balance Number ofLoans Balance Number ofLoans
(Dollars in thousands)
Performing TDRs:
Commercial real estate $ — — $ 2,394 1
Construction — — — —
SBA — — — —
Dairy & livestock and agribusiness 2,000 1 — —
Consumer and other — — — —
Nonperforming TDRs:
Commercial real estate $ — — $ — —
Construction — — — —
SBA — — — —
Commercial and industrial — — — —
Dairy & livestock and agribusiness — — — —
SFR mortgage — — — —
Consumer and other — — — —
Total nonperforming TDRs $ — — $ — —
At December 31, 2022 and 2021, there was no ACL specifically allocated to TDRs. Impairment amounts identified are typically charged off against the allowance when deemed uncollectible. There were no charge-offs on TDRs for 2022 and 2021.
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Nonperforming Assets and Delinquencies
The table below provides trends in our nonperforming assets and delinquencies as of the dates presented.
(Dollars in thousands)
Nonperforming loans (1):
Construction — — — — —
SBA - PPP — — — 2 —
Commercial real estate $ — $ — $ 559 $ 565 $ 438
Construction — — — — —
Commercial and industrial — — — 6 —
Dairy & livestock and agribusiness — — — 1,099 —
Consumer and other loans 175 — — — —
OREO:
Commercial real estate $ — $ — $ — $ — $ —
SBA — — — — —
SFR mortgage — — — — —
Total $ — $ — $ — $ — $ —
Nonperforming loans, defined as nonaccrual loans, nonperforming TDR loans and loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest, were $4.9 million at December 31, 2022, or 0.05% of total loans. This compares to nonperforming loans of $6.9 million, or 0.09% of total loans, at December 31, 2021. The $2.0 million decrease in nonperforming loans was primarily due to decreases of $950,000 in nonperforming commercial real estate loans, $591,000 in nonperforming SBA loans, $394,000 in nonperforming commercial and industrial loans, and $380,000 in nonperforming SFR mortgage loans, offset by an increase of $477,000 in nonperforming dairy & livestock and agribusiness loans.
At December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, we had no OREO properties. There were no additions to OREO properties for 2022. During the fourth quarter of 2021, we acquired an OREO property, which was sold during the fourth quarter of 2021 at a net gain of approximately $700,000.
Changes in economic and business conditions have had an impact on our market area and on our loan portfolio. We continually monitor these conditions in determining our estimates of needed reserves. However, we cannot predict the extent to which the deterioration in general economic conditions, real estate values, changes in general rates of interest and changes in the financial conditions or business of a borrower may adversely affect a specific borrower’s ability to pay or the value of our collateral. See “Risk Management – Credit Risk Management” included herein.
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Allowance for Credit Losses
We adopted CECL on January 1, 2020, which replaced the “incurred loss” approach with an “expected loss” model over the life of the loan, as further described in Note 3 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the notes to the consolidated financial statements. The allowance for credit losses totaled $85.1 million as of December 31, 2022, compared to $65.0 million as of December 31, 2021. Our allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2022 was 0.94% of total loans. The ACL increased by $20.1 million for 2022, compared to December 31, 2021, including $8.6 million for the acquired Suncrest PCD loans and $10.6 million in provision for credit losses for 2022. Net recoveries were $893,000 for 2022, which compares with net charge-offs of $3.2 million for 2021.
The allowance for credit losses as of December 31, 2022 is based upon lifetime loss rate models developed from an estimation framework that uses historical lifetime loss experiences to derive loss rates at a collective pool level. We measure the expected credit losses on a collective (pooled) basis for those loans that share similar risk characteristics. We have three collective loan pools: Commercial Real Estate, Commercial and Industrial, and Consumer. Our ACL amounts are largely driven by portfolio characteristics, including loss history and various risk attributes, and the economic outlook for certain macroeconomic variables. The allowance for credit loss is sensitive to both changes in these portfolio characteristics and the forecast of macroeconomic variables. Risk attributes for commercial real estate loans include OLTV, origination year, loan seasoning, and macroeconomic variables that include GDP growth, commercial real estate price index and unemployment rate. Risk attributes for commercial and industrial loans include internal risk ratings, borrower industry sector, loan credit spreads and macroeconomic variables that include unemployment rate and BBB spread. The macroeconomic variables for Consumer include unemployment rate and GDP. The Commercial Real Estate methodology is applied over commercial real estate loans, a portion of construction loans, and a portion of SBA loans (excluding Paycheck Protection Program loans). The Commercial and Industrial methodology is applied over a substantial portion of the Company’s commercial and industrial loans, all dairy & livestock and agribusiness loans, municipal lease receivables, as well as the remaining portion of Small Business Administration (SBA) loans (excluding Paycheck Protection Program loans). The Consumer methodology is applied to SFR mortgage loans, consumer loans, as well as the remaining construction loans. In addition to determining the quantitative life of loan loss rate to be applied against the portfolio segments, management reviews current conditions and forecasts to determine whether adjustments are needed to ensure that the life of loan loss rates reflect both the current state of the portfolio, and expectations for macroeconomic changes.
Our economic forecast continues to be a blend of multiple forecasts produced by Moody’s. These U.S. economic forecasts include a baseline forecast, as well as multiple downside forecasts. The baseline forecast continues to represent the largest weighting in our multi-weighted forecast scenario, with downside risks, including a stagflation scenario, weighted among these multiple forecasts. Our weighted forecast at December 31, 2022 assumes GDP will increase by 0.3% in 2023, including a decline in GDP for the first half of 2023, followed by modest growth of 1.3% for 2024 and then grow by 2.8% in 2025. The unemployment rate is forecasted to be 4.8% in 2023, 5.1% in 2024 and then decline to 4.5% in 2025. When comparing the two largest loan pools, the Commercial and Industrial loan pool was more greatly impacted by the current forecast of macroeconomic variable, resulting in a larger change in the projected loss rate than the Commercial Real Estate pool. As there is continued uncertainty around the assumptions that impact our economic forecast, no assurance can be given that economic conditions that adversely affect the Company's service areas and customers will not be reflected in an increased allowance for credit losses in future periods.
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The table below presents a summary of charge-offs and recoveries by type, the provision for credit losses on loans, and the resulting allowance for credit losses for the periods presented.
Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
Charge-offs:
Commercial real estate — — — — —
Construction — — — — —
Dairy & livestock and agribusiness — (118 ) — (78 ) —
SFR mortgage — — — — (13 )
Consumer and other loans (4 ) (11 ) (109 ) (7 ) (11 )
Recoveries:
Commercial real estate — — — — —
Dairy & livestock and agribusiness 468 — — 19 19
Initial ACL for PCD loans at acquisition 8,605 — — — —
Provision recorded at acquisition 4,932 — — — —
Summary of reserve for unfunded loan commitments:
Impact of adopting ASU 2016-13 — — 41 — —
(Recapture of) provision for unfunded loan commitments — (1,000 ) — — (250 )
(1)
Net of deferred loan origination fees, costs and discounts (amortized cost).
The Bank’s ACL methodology also produced an allowance of $8.0 million for our off-balance sheet credit exposures as of December 31, 2022, compared to $8.0 million as of December 31, 2021. The second quarter of 2021 included $1.0 million in recapture of provision for unfunded loan commitments.
While we believe that the allowance at December 31, 2022 was appropriate to absorb losses from known or inherent risks in the portfolio, no assurance can be given that future economic conditions, interest rate fluctuations, conditions of our borrowers (including fraudulent activity), or natural disasters, which adversely affect our service areas or other circumstances or conditions, including those defined above, will not be reflected in increased provisions for credit losses in the future.
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Changes in economic and business conditions have had an impact on our market area and on our loan portfolio. We continually monitor these conditions in determining our estimates of needed reserves. However, we cannot predict the extent to which the deterioration in general economic conditions, real estate values, changes in general rates of interest and changes in the financial conditions or business of a borrower may adversely affect a specific borrower’s ability to pay or the value of our collateral. See “Risk Management – Credit Risk Management” contained herein.
The following table provides a summary of the allocation of the allowance for credit losses by loan type at the dates indicated for total loans. The allocations presented should not be interpreted as an indication that loans charged to the allowance for credit losses will occur in these amounts or proportions.
Allowance for Credit Losses by Loan Type
December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
SBA - PPP — 0.1 % — 2.4 % — 10.6 % — — — —
PCI loans — — — — — — — — 204 0.2 %
The ACL/Total Loan Coverage Ratio as of December 31, 2022 increased to 0.94%, compared to 0.82% as of December 31, 2021.
Deposits
The primary source of funds to support earning assets (loans and investments) is the generation of deposits.
Total deposits were $12.84 billion at December 31, 2022. This represented a decrease of $140.1 million, or 1.08%, from total deposits of $12.98 billion at December 31, 2021. The average balance of deposits by category and the average effective interest rates paid on deposits is summarized for the periods presented in the table below.
Year Ended December 31,
Average
Balance Rate Balance Rate Balance Rate
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest-bearing deposits
The amount of noninterest-bearing deposits in relation to total deposits is an integral element in our strategy of seeking to achieve a low cost of funds. Average noninterest-bearing deposits totaled $8.84 billion for 2022, representing an increase of $1.02 billion, or 13.07%, from average demand deposits of $7.82 billion for 2021. Average noninterest-bearing deposits represented 62.85% of total average deposits for 2022, compared to 62.83% of total average deposits for 2021.
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Average savings deposits, which include savings, interest-bearing demand, and money market accounts, were $4.87 billion for 2022, representing an increase of $617.1 million, or 14.52%, from average savings deposits of $4.25 billion for 2021.
Average time deposits totaled $358.6 million for 2022, representing a decrease of $17.1 million, or 4.55%, from total average time deposits of $375.7 million for 2021.
The following table provides the remaining maturities of large denomination ($250,000 or more) time deposits, including public funds, at December 31, 2022.
Maturity Distribution of Large Denomination Time Deposits
(Dollars in thousands)
Over 3 months through 6 months 14,512
Time deposits totaled $294.6 million at December 31, 2022, representing a decrease of $33.1 million, or 10.09%, from total time deposits of $327.7 million for December 31, 2021.
Borrowings
The following table summarizes information about our term FHLB advances, repurchase agreements and other borrowings outstanding for the periods presented.
RepurchaseAgreements FHLB Advances OtherBorrowings Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Weighted-average interest rate 0.11 % — 4.65 % 3.01 %
Weighted-average interest rate 0.09 % — 4.48 % 0.38 %
Weighted-average interest rate 0.08 % — 1.45 % 0.09 %
Weighted-average interest rate 0.09 % — 0.01 % 0.09 %
Weighted-average interest rate 0.10 % — — 0.10 %
Weighted-average interest rate 0.24 % — 0.04 % 0.23 %
At December 31, 2022, our borrowings included $565.4 million of repurchase agreements and $995.0 million in overnight borrowings with the FHLB at an interest rate of 4.65%. At December 31, 2021, our borrowings included $642.4 million in repurchase agreements and $2.3 million in other short-term borrowing at an interest rate of 1.45%.
We offer a repurchase agreement product to our deposit customers. This product, known as Citizens Sweep Manager, sells our investment securities overnight to our customers under an agreement to repurchase them the next day at a price
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which reflects the market value of the use of funds by the Bank for the period concerned. These repurchase agreements are signed with customers who want to invest their excess deposits, above a pre-determined balance in a demand deposit account, in order to earn interest. As of December 31, 2022, total funds borrowed under these agreements were $565.4 million with a weighted average interest rate of 0.11%, compared to $642.4 million with a weighted average rate of 0.08% as of December 31, 2021.
On June 15, 2021, we redeemed our junior subordinated debentures of $25.8 million, representing the amounts that are due from the Company to CVB Statutory Trust III, which had a borrowing cost of approximately 1.60% at the time of repayment. The debentures and the Trust Preferred Securities had an original maturity date of 2036. The interest rate on these debentures were based on three-month LIBOR plus 1.38%. Refer to Note 13 — Borrowings of the notes to the consolidated financial statements for a more detailed discussion.
At December 31, 2022, $4.30 billion of loans and $2.90 billion of investment securities, at carrying value, were pledged to secure public deposits of $1.07 billion, short and long-term borrowings, and for other purposes as required or permitted by law, with a remaining borrowing capacity at December 31, 2022 of $10.11 billion.
Aggregate Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes the aggregate contractual obligations as of December 31, 2022.
Maturity by Period
(Dollars in thousands)
(1)
Amounts exclude accrued interest.
Deposits represent noninterest-bearing, money market, savings, NOW, certificates of deposits, brokered and all other deposits held by the Bank.
Customer repurchase agreements represent excess amounts swept from customer demand deposit accounts, which mature the following business day and are collateralized by investment securities. These amounts are due to customers.
Deferred compensation represents the amounts that are due to former employees based on salary continuation agreements as a result of acquisitions and amounts due to current and retired employees under our deferred compensation plans.
Operating leases represent the total minimum lease payments due under non-cancelable operating leases. Refer to Note 23 — Leases of the notes to the consolidated financial statements for a more detailed discussion about leases.
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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The following table summarizes the off-balance sheet items at December 31, 2022.
Maturity by Period
(Dollars in thousands)
Commitment to extend credit:
SBA - PPP — — — — —
Municipal lease finance receivables — — — — —
(1)
Total commitments to extend credit to agribusiness were $35.6 million at December 31, 2022.
As of December 31, 2022, we had commitments to extend credit of approximately $1.73 billion, and obligations under letters of credit of $50.3 million. Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to customers, provided there is no violation of any material condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Commitments are generally variable rate, and many of these commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon. As such, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. We use the same credit underwriting policies in granting or accepting such commitments or contingent obligations as we do for on-balance sheet instruments, which consist of evaluating customers’ creditworthiness individually. As of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the balance in this reserve was $8.0 million and $8.0 million, respectively, and was included in other liabilities. There was no provision or recapture of provision for unfunded commitments for the year ended December 31, 2022. The second quarter of 2021 included a $1.0 million recapture of provision for unfunded loan commitments.
Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Bank to guarantee the financial performance of a customer to a third party. Those guarantees are primarily issued to support private borrowing or purchase arrangements. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. When deemed necessary, we hold appropriate collateral supporting those commitments.
Capital Resources
Our primary source of capital has been the retention of operating earnings and issuance of common stock in connection with periodic acquisitions. In order to ensure adequate levels of capital, we conduct an ongoing assessment of projected sources, needs and uses of capital in conjunction with projected increases in assets and the level of risk. As part of this ongoing assessment, the Board of Directors reviews the various components of our capital plan and capital stress testing.
Total equity decreased $133.0 million, or 6.39%, to $1.95 billion at December 31, 2022, compared to total equity of $2.08 billion at December 31, 2021. Increases to equity during 2022, included $197.1 million for the issuance of 8.6 million shares to acquire Suncrest and $235.4 million in net earnings. Decreases included $108.1 million in cash dividends and a $350.8 million decrease in other comprehensive income from the tax effected impact of the decline in market value of available-for-sale securities. During 2022, we executed on a $70 million accelerated stock repurchase program and retired 2,993,551 shares of common stock at an average price of $23.38. We also repurchased, under our 10b5-1 stock repurchase plan, 1,914,590 shares of common stock, at an average repurchase price of $23.43, totaling $44.9 million. Our tangible book value per share at December 31, 2022 was $8.30.
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During 2022, the Board of Directors of CVB declared quarterly cash dividends totaling $0.77 per share. Dividends are payable at the discretion of the Board of Directors and there can be no assurance that the Board of Directors will continue to pay dividends at the same rate, or at all, in the future. CVB’s ability to pay cash dividends to its shareholders is subject to restrictions under federal and California law, including restrictions imposed by the Federal Reserve, and covenants set forth in various agreements we are a party to including covenants set forth in our junior subordinated debentures.
On February 1, 2022, we announced that our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase plan to repurchase up to 10,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock ("2022 Repurchase Program"), including by means of (i) an initial $70 million dollar Accelerated Share Repurchase, or ASR Plan, and (ii) one or more Rule 10b5-1 plans or other appropriate buyback arrangements, including open market purchases and private transactions. We completed the execution of the $70 million accelerated stock repurchase program in the second quarter of 2022, and retired a total of 2,993,551 shares of common stock at an average price of $23.38. During 2022, we also repurchased, under our 10b5-1 stock repurchase plan, 1,914,590 shares of common stock, at an average repurchase price of $23.43, totaling $44.9 million. As of December 31, 2022, we had 5,091,859 shares of CVB common stock available for repurchase under the 2022 Repurchase Program.
The Bank and the Company are required to meet risk-based capital standards under the revised capital framework referred to as Basel III set by their respective regulatory authorities. The risk-based capital standards require the achievement of a minimum plus the fully phased in Capital Conservation buffer of 2.5% of 10.5% for total risk-based capital ratio, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8.5% and a common equity Tier 1 (“CET1”) capital ratio of 7.0%. In addition, the regulatory authorities require the highest rated institutions to maintain a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0%. To be considered “well-capitalized” for bank regulatory purposes, the Bank and the Company are required to have a CET1 capital ratio equal to or greater than 6.5%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio equal to or greater than 8.0%, a total risk-based capital ratio equal to or greater than 10.0% and a Tier 1 leverage ratio equal to or greater than 5.0%. At December 31, 2022, the Bank and the Company exceeded the minimum risk-based capital ratios and leverage ratios required to be considered “well-capitalized” for regulatory purposes. For further information about capital requirements and our capital ratios, see “Item 1. Business—Regulation and Supervision—Capital Adequacy Requirements”.
At December 31, 2022, the Bank and the Company exceeded the minimum risk-based capital ratios and leverage ratios, under the revised capital framework referred to as Basel III, required to be considered “well-capitalized” for regulatory purposes. We did not elect to phase in the impact of CECL on regulatory capital, as allowed under the interim final rule of the FDIC and other U.S. banking agencies.
The table below presents the Company’s and the Bank’s risk-based and leverage capital ratios for the periods presented.
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RISK MANAGEMENT
All financial institutions must manage and control a variety of business risks that can significantly affect their financial performance. Our Board of Directors (Board) and executive management team have overall and ultimate responsibility for management of these risks, which they carry out through committees with specific and well-defined risk management functions. The Risk Management Plan that we have adopted seeks to implement the proper control and management of key risk factors inherent in the operation of the Company and the Bank. Some of the key risks that we must manage are credit risks, interest rate risk, liquidity risk, market risks, transaction risk, compliance risk, strategic risk, and cybersecurity risk. These specific risk factors are not mutually exclusive. It is recognized that any product or service offered by us may expose the Bank to one or more of these risks. Our Risk Management Committee and Risk Management Division monitor these risks to minimize exposure to the Company. The Board and its committees work closely with management in overseeing risk. Each Board committee receives reports and information regarding risk issues directly from management.
Credit Risk Management
Loans represent the largest component of assets on our balance sheet and their related credit risk is among the most significant risks we manage. We define credit risk as the risk of loss associated with a borrower or counterparty default (failure to meet obligations in accordance with agreed upon terms). Credit risk is found in all activities where success depends on a counter party, issuer, or borrower performance. Credit risk arises through the extension of loans and leases, certain securities, and letters of credit.
Natural disasters, such as storms, earthquakes, drought and other weather conditions, effects of pandemics, and problems related to possible climate changes, social unrest or protest, may from time-to-time cause or create the risk of damage to facilities, buildings, property or other assets of Bank customers, borrowers or municipal debt issuers. This could in turn affect their financial condition or results of operations and as a consequence their ability or capacity to repay debt or fulfill other obligations to the Bank.
Credit risk in the investment portfolio and correspondent bank accounts is in part addressed through defined limits in the Company’s policy statements. In addition, certain securities carry insurance to enhance the credit quality of the bond. Limitations on industry concentration, aggregate customer borrowings, geographic boundaries and standards on loan quality also are designed to reduce loan credit risk. Senior Management, Directors’ Committees, and the Board of Directors are provided with information to appropriately identify, measure, control and monitor the credit risk of the Company.
The Bank’s loan policy is updated annually and approved by the Board of Directors. It prescribes underwriting guidelines and procedures for all loan categories in which the Bank participates to establish risk tolerance and parameters that are communicated throughout the Bank to ensure consistent and uniform lending practices. The underwriting guidelines include, among other things, approval limitation and hierarchy, documentation standards, loan-to-value limits, debt coverage ratio, overall credit-worthiness of the borrower, guarantor support, etc. All loan requests considered by the Bank should be for a clearly defined legitimate purpose with a determinable primary source, as well as alternate sources of repayment. All loans should be supported by appropriate documentation including, current financial statements, credit reports, collateral information, guarantor asset verification, tax returns, title reports, appraisals (where appropriate), and other documents of quality that will support the credit.
The major lending categories are commercial and industrial loans, SBA loans, owner-occupied and non owner-occupied commercial real estate loans, construction loans, dairy & livestock and agribusiness loans, residential real estate loans, and various consumer loan products. Loans underwritten to borrowers within these diverse categories require underwriting and documentation suited to the unique characteristics and inherent risks involved.
Commercial and industrial loans require credit structures that are tailored to the specific purpose of the business loan, involving a thorough analysis of the borrower’s business, cash flow, collateral, industry risks, economic risks, credit, character, and guarantor support. Owner-occupied real estate loans are primarily based upon the capacity and stability of the cash flow generated by the occupying business and the market value of the collateral, among other things. Non owner-occupied real estate is typically underwritten to the income produced by the subject property and many considerations unique to the various types of property (i.e. office, retail, warehouse, shopping center, medical, etc.), as well as, the financial support provided by sponsors in recourse transactions. Construction loans will often depend on the specific characteristics of the project, the market for the specific development, real estate values, and the equity and financial strength of the sponsors. Dairy & livestock and agribusiness loans are largely predicated on the revenue cycles and demand for milk and crops, commodity prices, collateral values of herd, feed, and income-producing dairies or croplands, and the financial support of the guarantors. Underwriting of residential real estate and consumer loans are generally driven by personal income and debt service capacity, credit history and scores, and collateral values.
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SBA loans require credit structures that conform to the various requirements of the SBA programs specific to the type of loan request and the Bank’s loan policy as it relates to these loans. The SBA 7(a) loans are similar to the commercial and industrial loans that are tailored to the specific purpose of the business loan, involving a thorough analysis of the borrower’s business, cash flow, collateral, industry risks, economic risks, credit, character, and guarantor support for both the Bank and the SBA. Once granted the SBA 7(a) loans require the Bank to follow SBA servicing guidelines to maintain the SBA guaranty which typically ranges from 75% to 90% depending on the type of 7(a) loan. SBA 504 loans are similar to the Bank’s Owner-occupied real estate loans. As such they are primarily based upon the capacity and stability of the cash flow generated by the occupying business and the market value of the collateral, among other things. When the Bank funds an SBA 504 transaction, which includes the 50% - 65% first trust deed loan and the 25% - 40% second trust deed loan, the initial risk is centered in completing the SBA’s requirements to provide for the payoff of the second trust deed loan from the subordinated debenture. Once the 504 second is paid off, the remaining first trust deed loan is then managed under the same requirements applied to the Bank’s owner-occupied commercial real estate loan. It should be noted that both the SBA 7(a) and 504 programs provide loans for commercial real estate acquisition. However, the terms and advances rates available under the 7(a) program are outside of the Bank’s standard loan programs and risk profile and therefore require a credit enhancement in the form of the SBA guaranty. Additionally, the interest rates for the 7(a) program are typically variable and can adjust as often as monthly with quarterly adjustment the most typical. SBA 504 loan interest rates for the first trust deed loan are at the Bank’s discretion and subject to competitive pressures from other banks.
Implicit in lending activities is the risk that losses will occur and that the amount of such losses will vary over time. Consequently, we maintain Allowance for Credit Losses ("ACL") by charging a provision for credit losses to earnings. Loans determined to be losses are charged against the allowance for credit losses. In this regard, it is important to note that the Bank’s practice with regard to these loans, including modified loans or troubled debt restructurings that are classified as impaired, is to generally charge off any loss amount against the ACL upon evaluating the loan at the time a probable loss becomes recognized. As such, the Bank’s specific allowance for loans, including troubled debt restructurings, is relatively low since any known loss amount will generally have been charged off.
Central to our credit risk management is its loan risk rating system. The originating credit officer assigns borrowers an initial risk rating, which is reviewed and possibly changed by credit management. The risk rating is based primarily on an analysis of each borrower’s financial capacity in conjunction with industry and economic trends. Credit approvals are made based upon our evaluation of the inherent credit risk specific to the transaction and are reviewed for appropriateness by senior line and credit management personnel. Credits are monitored by line and credit management personnel for deterioration in a borrower’s financial condition, which would impact the ability of the borrower to perform under the contract. Risk ratings may be adjusted as necessary.
Loans are risk rated into the following categories: Pass, Special Mention, Substandard, Doubtful, and Loss. Each of these groups is assessed and appropriate amounts used in determining the adequacy of our ACL. The Impaired and Doubtful loans are analyzed on an individual basis for allowance amounts. The other categories have formulae used to determine the needed allowance amount.
The Company obtains a semi-annual independent credit review by engaging an outside party to review a sample of our loans and leases. The primary purpose of this review is to evaluate our existing loan ratings.
Refer to additional discussion concerning loans, nonperforming assets, allowance for credit losses and related tables under the Analysis of Financial Condition contained herein.
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Transaction Risk
Transaction risk is the risk to earnings or capital arising from problems in service, activity or product delivery. This risk is significant within any bank and is interconnected with other risk categories in most activities throughout the Company. Transaction risk is a function of internal controls, information systems, associate integrity, and operating processes. Transaction risk is also referred to as operating or operational risk. It arises daily throughout the Company as transactions are processed. It pervades all divisions, departments and centers and is inherent in all products and services we offer.
In general, transaction risk is defined as high, medium or low by the Company. The audit plan ensures that high risk areas are reviewed annually. We utilize internal auditors and independent audit firms to test key controls of operational processes and to audit information systems, compliance management programs, loan credit reviews and trust services.
The key to monitoring transaction risk is in the design, documentation and implementation of well-defined procedures. Any system of controls, however well designed and operated, is based in part on certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, but not absolute, assurances of the effectiveness of these systems and controls, and that the objectives of these controls have been met.
Compliance Risk Management
Compliance risk (also known as Regulatory risk) is the risk to earnings or capital arising from violations of, or non-conformance with, laws, rules, regulations, prescribed practices, or ethical standards. Compliance risk also arises in situations where the laws or rules governing certain products or activities of the Bank’s customers, vendors or business partners may be ambiguous or untested. Compliance risk exposes us to fines, civil money penalties, payment of damages, and the voiding of contracts. Compliance risk can also lead to a diminished reputation, reduced business value, limited business opportunities, lessened expansion potential, and lack of contract enforceability. The Company utilizes independent compliance audits as a means of assessing the effectiveness and identifying weaknesses in the compliance program.
There is no single or primary source of compliance risk. It is inherent in every activity. Frequently, it blends into operational risk and transaction risk. A portion of this risk is sometimes referred to as legal risk. This is not limited solely to risk from failure to comply with consumer protection laws; it encompasses all laws, as well as prudent ethical standards and contractual obligations. It also includes the exposure to litigation from all aspects of banking, traditional and non-traditional.
Our Risk Management Policy and Program and the Code of Ethical Conduct are cornerstones for controlling compliance risk. An integral part of controlling this risk is the proper training of associates. The Chief Risk Officer is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive compliance training program. The Chief Risk Officer, in consultation with our internal and external legal counsel, seeks to provide our associates with adequate training commensurate to their job functions to ensure compliance with banking laws and regulations.
Our Risk Management Policy and Program includes a risk-based audit program aimed at identifying internal control deficiencies and weaknesses. The Compliance Management Program includes a monitoring process to address external and internal risks, including regulatory change management, the evolving products and services, and strategies of the front-line units and control functions. Additionally, in-depth audits are performed by our internal audit department under the direction of our Chief Audit Executive and supplemented by independent external firms. Annually, an Audit Plan for the Company is developed and presented for approval to the Audit Committee of the Board.
The Risk Management Division conducts periodic monitoring of our compliance efforts with a special focus on business and control functions, assessing the inherent compliance risk of activities and the effectiveness of controls, and identifying control weaknesses that are to be strengthened or enhanced. Any material exceptions identified are brought forward to the appropriate department head, and appropriate management and board committees. This reporting provides an independent view of compliance risk across the company, support transparent communication and management awareness of compliance risk.
We recognize that customer complaints can often identify weaknesses in our compliance program which could expose us to risk. Therefore, we attempt to ensure that all complaints are given prompt attention. Our Compliance Management Policy and Program include provisions on how customer complaints are to be addressed. The Chief Risk Officer reviews formal complaints to determine if a significant compliance risk exists and communicates those findings to the Compliance Management and Risk Management Committees.
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Strategic Risk
Strategic risk is the risk to earnings or capital arising from adverse decisions or improper implementation of strategic decisions. This risk is a function of the compatibility between an organization’s goals, the resources deployed against those goals and the quality of implementation.
Strategic risks are identified as part of the strategic planning process. Strategic planning sessions, with members of the Board of Directors and Executive Leadership, are held annually. The strategic review consists of results of strategic initiatives, an assessment of the economic outlook, competitive analysis, and an industry outlook, including a legislative and regulatory review.
Cybersecurity Risk
Cybersecurity and fraud risk refers to the risk of failures, interruptions of services, or breaches of security with respect to the Company’s or the Bank’s communication, information, operations, devices, financial control, customer internet banking, customer information, email, data processing systems, or other bank or third party applications. The ability of the Company’s customers to bank remotely, including online and through mobile devices, requires secure transmission of confidential information and increases the risk of data security breaches. In addition, the Company and the Bank rely primarily on third party providers to develop, manage, maintain and protect our systems and applications. Any such failures, interruptions or fraud or security breaches, depending on the scope, duration, affected system(s) or customers(s), could expose the Company and/or the Bank to financial loss, reputation damage, litigation, or regulatory action. We continue to invest in technologies and training to protect our associates, our clients and our assets. While we have implemented various detective and preventative measures which seek to protect our Company, our customers’ information and the Bank from the risk of fraud, data security breaches or service interruptions, there can be no assurance that these measures will be effective in preventing potential breaches or losses for us or our customers.
ASSET/LIABILITY AND MARKET RISK MANAGEMENT
Liquidity and Cash Flow
The objective of liquidity management is to ensure that funds are available in a timely manner to meet our financial obligations when they come due without incurring unnecessary cost or risk, or causing a disruption to our normal operating activities. This includes the ability to manage unplanned decreases or changes in funding sources, accommodating loan demand and growth, funding investments, repurchasing securities, paying creditors as necessary, and other operating or capital needs.
We regularly assess the amount and likelihood of projected funding requirements through a review of factors such as historical deposit volatility and funding patterns, present and forecasted market and economic conditions, individual customer funding needs, as well as current and planned business activities. Management has an Asset/Liability Committee that meets monthly. This committee analyzes the cash flows from loans, investments, deposits and borrowings. In addition, the Company has a Balance Sheet Management Committee of the Board of Directors that meets quarterly to review the Company’s balance sheet and liquidity position. This committee provides oversight to the balance sheet and liquidity management process and recommends policy guidelines for the approval of our Board of Directors, and courses of action to address our actual and projected liquidity needs.
Our primary sources and uses of funds for the Company are deposits and loans. Our deposit levels and cost of deposits may fluctuate from period-to-period due to a variety of factors, including the stability of our deposit base, prevailing interest rates, and market conditions. Total deposits of $12.84 billion at December 31, 2022 decreased $141.2 million, or 1.08%, over total deposits of $12.98 billion at December 31, 2021. The combination of seasonal growth in dairy and livestock loans, seasonal deposit declines, slow down in the housing market reducing deposit levels for our title and escrow customers, as well as inflationary pressures on our customers operations combined to decrease our deposit levels late in 2022, resulting in borrowing $995,000 million in overnight from the Federal Home Loan Bank.
In general, our liquidity is managed daily by controlling the level of liquid assets as well as the use of funds provided by the cash flow from the investment portfolio, loan demand and deposit fluctuations. Our definition of liquid assets includes cash and cash equivalents in excess of minimum levels needed to fulfill normal business operations, short-term investment securities, and other anticipated near term cash flows from investments. Our balance sheet has significant liquidity and our loans are primarily funded with core deposits. Furthermore, we have significant off-balance sheet sources of liquidity. To meet unexpected demands, lines of credit are maintained with correspondent banks, the Federal Home Loan Bank and the
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Federal Reserve, although availability under these lines of credit are subject to certain conditions. The Bank has available lines of credit exceeding $4 billion, most of which is secured by pledged loans. The sale of investment securities can also serve as a contingent source of funds. We can obtain additional liquidity from deposit growth by offering competitive interest rates on deposits from both our local and national wholesale markets. At December 31, 2022, we had $995.0 million in overnight borrowings.
CVB is a holding company separate and apart from the Bank that must provide for its own liquidity and must service its own obligations. On June 15, 2021, we redeemed our $25.8 million in subordinated debt with an interest rate of three month LIBOR plus 1.38% at par. Substantially all of CVB’s revenues are obtained from dividends declared and paid by the Bank to CVB. There are statutory and regulatory provisions that could limit the ability of the Bank to pay dividends to CVB. In addition, our regulators could limit the ability of the Bank or CVB to pay dividends or make other distributions.
Below is a summary of our average cash position and statement of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. For further details, see our “Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows” under Part IV consolidated financial statements of this report.
Consolidated Summary of Cash Flows
Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
Percentage of total average assets 5.79 % 13.54 %
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 273,731 $ 195,242
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (625,852 ) 1,309,637
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents $ (1,529,087 ) $ (225,612 )
Average cash and cash equivalents decreased by $1.1 billion, or 52.92%, to $978.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $2.08 billion for 2021.
At December 31, 2022, cash and cash equivalents totaled $203.5 million. This represented a decrease of $1.53 billion, or 88.26%, from $1.73 billion at December 31, 2021.
Market Risk
In the normal course of its business activities, we are exposed to market risks, including price and liquidity risk. Market risk is the potential for loss from adverse changes in market rates and prices, such as interest rates (interest rate risk). Liquidity risk arises from the possibility that we may not be able to satisfy current or future commitments or that we may be more reliant on alternative funding sources such as long-term debt. Financial products that expose us to market risk include securities, loans, deposits, debt, and derivative financial instruments.
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The table below provides the actual balances as of December 31, 2022 of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, including the average rate earned or incurred for 2022, the projected contractual maturities over the next five years, and the estimated fair value of each category determined using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies.
Maturing
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Junior subordinated debentures — — — — — — — —
(1)
These include mortgage-backed securities which generally prepay before maturity. Includes TE adjustments utilizing a federal statutory rate of 21%.
(2)
Gross loans, at amortized cost.
Interest Rate Sensitivity Management
During periods of changing interest rates, the ability to re-price interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities can influence net interest income, the net interest margin, and consequently, our earnings. Interest rate risk is managed by attempting to control the spread between rates earned on interest-earning assets and the rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities within the constraints imposed by market competition in our service area. The primary goal of interest rate risk management is to control exposure to interest rate risk, within policy limits approved by the Board of Directors. These limits and guidelines reflect our risk appetite for interest rate risk over both short-term and long-term horizons. We measure these risks and their impact by identifying and quantifying exposures through the use of sophisticated simulation and valuation models, which, as described in additional detail below, are employed by management to understand net interest income (NII) at risk and economic value of equity (EVE) at risk. Net interest income at risk sensitivity captures asset and liability repricing mismatches and is considered a shorter term measure, while EVE sensitivity captures mismatches within the period end balance sheets through the financial instruments’ respective maturities or estimated durations and is considered a longer term measure.
One of the primary methods that we use to quantify and manage interest rate risk is simulation analysis, which we use to model NII from the Company’s balance sheet under various interest rate scenarios. We use simulation analysis to project rate sensitive income under many scenarios. The analyses may include rapid and gradual ramping of interest rates, rate shocks, basis risk analysis, and yield curve scenarios. Specific balance sheet management strategies are also analyzed to determine their impact on NII and EVE. Key assumptions in the simulation analysis relate to the behavior of interest rates and pricing spreads, the changes in product balances, and the behavior of loan and deposit clients in different rate environments. This analysis incorporates several assumptions, the most material of which relate to the re-pricing characteristics and balance fluctuations of deposits with indeterminate or non-contractual maturities, and prepayment of loans and securities.
Our interest rate risk policy measures the sensitivity of our net interest income over both a one-year and two-year cumulative time horizon.
The simulation model estimates the impact of changing interest rates on interest income from all interest-earning assets and interest expense paid on all interest-bearing liabilities reflected on our balance sheet. This sensitivity analysis is compared to policy limits, which specify a maximum tolerance level for net interest income exposure over a one-year horizon assuming no balance sheet growth, given a 200 basis point upward and a 200 or 100 basis point downward shift in interest rates, depending on the level of current market rates. The simulation model uses a parallel yield curve shift that ramps rates up or down on a pro rata basis over the 12-month and 24-month time horizon.
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The following depicts the Company’s net interest income sensitivity analysis for the periods presented below, when rates are ramped up 200bps or ramped down 200bps or 100bps over a 12-month time horizon.
Estimated Net Interest Income Sensitivity (1)
(1)
Percentage change from base scenario, but the current low interest rate environment limits the absolute decline in rates as the model does not assume rates go below zero.
Based on our current simulation models, we believe that the interest rate risk profile of the balance sheet is asset sensitive over both a one-year and a two-year horizon. The estimated sensitivity does not necessarily represent a forecast and the results may not be indicative of actual changes to our net interest income. These estimates are based upon a number of assumptions including: the nature and timing of interest rate levels including yield curve shape, re-pricing characteristics and balance fluctuations of deposits with indeterminate or non-contractual maturities, prepayments on loans and securities, pricing strategies on loans and deposits, and replacement of asset and liability cash flows. While the assumptions used are based on current economic and local market conditions, there is no assurance as to the predictive nature of these conditions including how customer preferences or competitor influences might change. Our exposure in the rates down scenario is impacted by the current low interest rate environment and the model does not assume that rates go below zero.
We also perform valuation analysis, which incorporates all cash flows over the estimated remaining life of all material balance sheet and derivative positions. The valuation of the balance sheet, at a point in time, is defined as the discounted present value of all asset cash flows and derivative cash flows minus the discounted present value of all liability cash flows, the net of which is referred to as EVE. The sensitivity of EVE to changes in the level of interest rates is a measure of the longer-term re-pricing risk and options risk embedded in the balance sheet. EVE uses instantaneous changes in rates, as shown in the table below. Assumptions about the timing and variability of balance sheet cash flows are critical in the EVE analysis. Particularly important are the assumptions driving prepayments and the expected duration and pricing of the indeterminate deposit portfolios. EVE sensitivity is reported in both upward and downward rate shocks. At December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the EVE profile indicates a decline in net balance sheet value due to instantaneous downward changes in rates, compared to an increase resulting from an increase in rates.
Economic Value of Equity Sensitivity
December 31,
200 bp decrease in interest rates -12.8 % N/A
100 bp decrease in interest rates -4.4 % -14.1 %
100 bp increase in interest rates 1.2 % 5.3 %
200 bp increase in interest rates 2.2 % 11.8 %
300 bp increase in interest rates 3.8 % 13.6 %
400 bp increase in interest rates 5.3 % 16.8 %
As EVE measures the discounted present value of cash flows over the estimated lives of instruments, the change in EVE does not directly correlate to the degree that earnings would be impacted over a shorter time horizon (i.e., the current year). Further, EVE does not take into account factors such as future balance sheet growth, changes in asset and liability mix, changes in yield curve relationships, and changing product spreads that could mitigate the adverse impact of changes in interest rates.
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Counterparty Risk
Recent developments in the financial markets have placed an increased awareness of Counterparty Risks. These risks occur when a financial institution has an indebtedness or potential for indebtedness to another financial institution. We have assessed our Counterparty Risk with the following results:
•
We do not have any investments in the preferred stock of any other company;
•
Most of our investment securities are either municipal securities or securities either issued or guaranteed by government, agencies, including Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, SBA or FHLB;
•
All of our commercial line insurance policies are with companies with the highest AM Best ratings of A or above;
•
We have no significant exposure to our Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance since the Cash Surrender Value balance is predominately supported by insurance companies that carry an AM Best rating of B+ or greater;
•
We have no significant Counterparty exposure related to derivatives such as interest rate swaps. Our Counterparty is a major financial institution and our agreement requires the Counterparty to post cash collateral for mark-to-market balances due to us;
•
•
We believe our risk of loss associated with our counterparty borrowers related to interest rate swaps is generally mitigated as the loans with swaps are underwritten to take into account potential additional exposure;
•
As of December 31, 2022, we had $339.0 million in Fed Funds lines of credit with other major U.S. banks. These lines of credit are available for overnight borrowings; and
•
At December 31, 2022, we had $995.0 million in short-term borrowings with the FHLB. Our secured borrowing capacity with the FHLB and FRB totaled $4.89 billion, of which $3.85 billion was available as of December 31, 2022.
Price and Foreign Exchange Risk
Price risk arises from changes in market factors that affect the value of traded instruments. Foreign exchange risk is the risk to earnings or capital arising from movements in foreign exchange rates.
Our current exposure to price risk is nominal. We do not have trading accounts. Consequently, the level of price risk within the investment portfolio is limited to the need to sell securities for reasons other than trading.
We maintain limited deposit accounts with various foreign banks. Our Interbank Liability Policy seeks to limit the balance in any of these accounts to an amount that does not in our judgment present a significant risk to our earnings from changes in the value of foreign currencies.
Our asset liability model seeks to calculate the market value of the Bank’s equity. In addition, management prepares, on a monthly basis, a capital volatility report that compares changes in the market value of the investment portfolio. We have as our target to always be well-capitalized by regulatory standards.
ITEM 7A.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market risk is the risk of loss from adverse changes in the market prices and interest rates. Our market risk arises primarily from interest rate risk inherent in our lending and deposit taking activities. We currently do not enter into futures, forwards, or option contracts. LIBOR is expected to be completely phased out by 2023, as such the Company continues to assess the impacts of this transition and exploring alternatives to use in place of LIBOR for various financial instruments, primarily related to our variable-rate loans and interest rate swap derivatives that are indexed to LIBOR. The Bank will use multiple alternative indices as replacements for LIBOR for new instruments originated after 2021.All remaining financial instruments indexed to LIBOR will be transitioned to a replacement index, primarily CME Term SOFR, prior to June 2023. For further quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risks in our portfolio, see “Asset/Liability Management and Interest Rate Sensitivity Management” included in Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and the Results of Operations presented elsewhere in this report. Our analysis of market risk and market-sensitive financial information contain forward looking statements and is subject to the disclosure at the beginning of Part I regarding such forward-looking information.
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ITEM 8.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
CVB Financial Corp.
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
and Financial Statement Schedules
Page
Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 89
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 139
All schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, not material or because the information is included in the financial statements or the notes thereto.
For information about the location of management’s annual reports on internal control, our financial reporting and the audit report of KPMG LLP thereon. See “Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.”
ITEM 9.CHANGES INAND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None
ITEM 9A.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
1)Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management of CVB Financial Corp., together with its consolidated subsidiaries (the “Company”), is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the Company’s financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Our internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of assets; provide reasonable assurances that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and the directors of the Company; and provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.
As of December 31, 2022, management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on the framework established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this assessment, management has determined that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022 is effective. KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has issued their report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022.
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2)Auditor attestation
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
CVB Financial Corp.:
Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited CVB Financial Corp. and subsidiaries' (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the related consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2022, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and our report dated February 28, 2023 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Irvine, California
February 28, 2023
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3)Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures; Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We maintain controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms. Such information is reported to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to allow timely and accurate disclosure based on the definition of “disclosure controls and procedures” in SEC Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated pursuant to the Exchange Act.
As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer. Based on the foregoing, our Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.
During the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2022, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B.OTHER INFORMATION
On February 22, 2023, the Board of Directors of CVB Financial Corp. (“Company”) adopted the 2023 Executive Incentive Plan (“2023 Plan”) which was intended to replace the Company’s prior 2015 Executive Plan (“2015 Plan”). The primary purpose of both the 2015 Plan and 2023 Plan (each a “Plan” and, collectively, the “Plans”) is to set forth the relevant business criteria, metrics and parameters for the formulation of group or individual cash performance compensation plans for the Company’s executives.
The Board of Directors adopted the 2023 Plan in replacement of the 2015 Plan in order to eliminate Plan references to, and Plan provisions related to compliance with, the terms of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, which had previously set forth requirements relating to tax deductibility for performance-based compensation in excess of $1 million to any individual for any fiscal year. As a result of amendments made to Section 162(m) by the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, and corresponding legislation adopted by the State of California in 2019, performance-based compensation is no longer exempt from the $1 million limit on corporate deductibility of compensation, so the provisions of the 2015 Plan relating to compliance with Section 162(m) were no longer relevant.
In addition, in connection with modifying and updating its 2015 Plan, the Company has made several other changes in its 2023 Plan, including (i) deleting the fixed dollar maximum annual amount payable to any individual executive, which had been a requirement for performance-based compensation treatment under Section 162(m), (ii) specifying, as a range, the percentage payable as incentive compensation to a Plan participant from 10% to 200% of such participant’s base salary for the year in question, (iii) revising the list of business criteria used to formulate the objective metrics pursuant to which incentive compensation is payable to individual executives, and (iv) removing the requirement for shareholder approval of the Plan which was previously mandated by Section 162(m). “Business criteria” set forth in the 2023 Plan include, but are not limited to, total revenue, deposit growth, earnings per share, average demand deposits, average total loans, noninterest income, operating expense, net profit after tax, return on assets, return on common equity and organizational metrics. Business criteria may differ from 2023 Plan participant to participant and from annual award to annual award.
The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of the 2023 Plan, a copy of which is included with this Form 10-K as Exhibit 10.12 and incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 9C.DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not applicable.
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PART III
ITEM 10.DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Except as hereinafter noted, the information concerning directors and executive officers of the Company, corporate governance and our audit committee financial experts is incorporated by reference from the section entitled “Discussion of Proposals recommended by the Board — Proposal 1: Election of Directors” and “Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” “Corporate Governance Principles and Board Matters,” and “Audit Committee” of our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the last fiscal year. For information concerning the executive officers of the Company, see Item I of Part I hereto.
The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to all of the Company’s employees, including the Company’s principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, accounting officers, and all employees who perform these functions. A copy of the Code of Ethics is available to any person without charge by submitting a request to the Company’s Chief Financial Officer at 701 N. Haven Avenue, Suite 350, Ontario, CA 91764. If the Company shall amend its Code of Ethics as it applies to the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller (or persons performing similar functions) or shall grant a waiver from any provision of the code of ethics to any such person, the Company shall disclose such amendment or waiver on its website at www.cbbank.com under the tab “Investor Relations.”
ITEM 11.EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Information concerning management remuneration and transactions is incorporated by reference from the section entitled “Election of Directors” and “Executive Compensation — Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” of our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the last fiscal year.
ITEM 12.SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The following table summarizes information as of December 31, 2022 relating to our equity compensation plans pursuant to which grants of options, restricted stock, or other rights to acquire shares may be granted from time to time.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders — — —
(1) Includes 172,313 performance-based restricted stock units. There are no restricted stock units outstanding.
(2) Assumes shares issued upon vesting of performance-based units vest at 100% of target number of units. Actual number of shares issued on vesting of performance units could be zero to 125% of the target number of units.
(3) Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options; excludes restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock units.
Information concerning security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is incorporated by reference from the sections entitled “Stock Ownership” of our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the last fiscal year.
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ITEM 13.CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Information concerning certain relationships and related transactions with management and others and information regarding director independence is incorporated by reference from the section entitled “Executive Compensation — Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and “Director Independence” of our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the last fiscal year.
ITEM 14.PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Information concerning principal accounting fees and services is incorporated by reference from the section entitled “Ratification of Appointment of Independent Public Accountants” of our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the last fiscal year.
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PART IV
ITEM 15.EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Financial Statements
(b) ExhibitsSee Index to Exhibits on Page 80 of this Form 10-K.
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ITEM 16.FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit No.
3.1 Articles of Incorporation of CVB Financial Corp., as amended (2)
3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws of CVB Financial Corp. (3)
4.1 Form of CVB Financial Corp.’s Common Stock certificate (4)
4.2 Description of CVB Financial Corp. Common Stock (5)